[The effects of female hormone on the temporary threshold shift (TTS) of men]

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of female hormone on the temporary threshold shift (TTS) of men. Female hormone (estrogen or progesterone or progesterone with estrogen) were administrated to eight male subjects. TTS was measured under the administration of female hormone and control (no administration of female hormone). The subjects were exposed to continuous white noise of 100 dB for 8 min after 5 min rest. The audiometry was performed in 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 6,000 and 8,000 Hz test tones at 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min of recovery process. TTS at 3,000 and 4,000 Hz was smaller under the condition of progesterone with estrogen administration than under the other conditions. TTS under the condition of estrogen administrated was smaller at 4,000 Hz than under the condition of progesterone administrated or under the control condition, but greater at 6,000 Hz than under the other conditions. These results indicate that TTS at 3,000 and 4,000 Hz is affected by progesterone with estrogen, and TTS at 6,000 Hz by estrogen.