Effects on cochlear microphonics in guinea pigs induced by prolonged exposure to low-frequency sound

The effects on CM induced by 46.5 h exposure to low-frequency sound of 0.125 kHz at 115 dB (SPL) and 100 dB (SPL), which frequency is considered to be in the vicinity of the lowest limit of audiofrequency for guinea pigs, were investigated by the sound pressure levels at which CM output voltages produced 50 microV (50 microV isopotential responses) at test frequencies of 0.06, 0.08, 0.12, 0.18, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz, and by the intensity function measured from 65 to 120 dB (SPL) at test frequencies of 0.06, 0.08, 0.12, 0.18, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz. The results obtained were as follows. In 50 microV isopotential responses measured at about 30 min after the termination of sound exposure, the mean dB in the 115 dB-exposed group tended to elevate at all test frequencies of 0.06 kHz to 4 kHz as compared with those in the control group. Significant dB elevations were especially observed at 0.06, 0.12, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. In the 100 dB-exposed group, however, no significant dB elevations were observed at any test frequencies as compared with those in the control group. In the intensity function measured at about 40-60 min after the termination of sound exposure, the mean output voltages in the 115 dB-exposed group induced by test stimuli of 0.18 kHz-2 kHz at higher intensities showed significant depression in comparison with those in the control group (by over 110 dB at 0.18 and 0.25 kHz, and by over 90 dB at 1 and 2 kHz).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)