Instrumental perforation of the round window. Animal experiments using cochleography and ERA

The round window membrane of the inner ear of the guinea pig was perforated under Ketanest anaesthesia. A very rapid and almost total loss of cochlear microphonics, auditory nerve action potential and brain-stem response developed. Replacement of the perilymph with Ringer's solution and surgical closure of the membrane damage had no effect on auditory nerve action potential or brain-stem response. Further decline in the amplitude of cochlear microphonics was halted, however. When perfusion of the round window membrane was carried out whilst the bulla was full with Ringer's solution, no essential decline was seen in the amplitudes of microphonics and auditory nerve action. Only brain-stem response was reduced--temporarily by 40% of the original amplitudinal level--but this showed subsequent recovery. Preservation of cochlear microphonics and auditory nerve action after perforation in Ringer's solution, i.e. excluding air, indicates that air entering the scala tympani is the cause of the sudden hearing loss after round window perforation. Using a simple physical model, an attempt is made to demonstrate this process. The anatomic connections between the round window, cochlear aqueduct and scala tympani are discussed, as are the different ways in which the round window membrane can be perforated.