Carbon monoxide exposure potentiates high-frequency auditory threshold shifts induced by noise

Hypoxia has long been hypothesized to play a role in noise-induced hearing loss, and the disruption of auditory function by asphyxiation has been repeatedly demonstrated. Recent data, however, suggest that the cochlea is resistant to less extreme hypoxic events. The current report describes the combined effects of noise and hypoxia on a measure of auditory function, in an effort to clarify the role of hypoxia in hearing loss. Exposure to 1200 parts per million of carbon monoxide in air for 90 min preceding and 120 min concurrent with exposure to a broad-band noise at 110 dBA produced high-frequency threshold shifts of greater magnitude than those produced by exposure to noise alone. An equivalent carbon monoxide exposure in a 'quiet' environment did not produce any change in auditory detection thresholds. The potentiation of noise-induced threshold shifts by carbon monoxide provides additional support for the hypothesized role of metabolic exhaustion or bloodflow impairment in noise-induced hearing loss. It also suggests a possible interpretation of clinical findings of auditory impairment associated with carbon monoxide exposure.