Effect of high perilymphatic potassium on brainstem evoked response audiometric thresholds

The perilymphatic space of the cat cochlea was perfused with a solution containing a high potassium ion concentration. The auditory response threshold was monitored with brainstem evoked response audiometry. In the majority of animals the initial perfusion produced a reversible decline in response threshold. With repeat perfusions, there was a variable degree of non-reversible response decline leading ultimately to a total loss of the auditory response.