Differences in forward masking after a temporary and a permanent noise-induced hearing loss

The forward masking curve of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) at selected frequencies together with the quantification of hair cell loss through the analysis of cochlear surface morphology was studied in guinea pigs before and after acoustic trauma resulting in either a temporary or a permanent threshold shift. In the presence of a noise-induced temporary threshold shift, the slope of the forward masking curve was not significantly different from the pre-exposure curve. In contrast, during the acute phase of the permanent threshold shift, the slope of the forward masking curve was significantly reduced compared to the pre-exposure value. After a recovery period of 2 weeks, the slope of the forward masking curve from the permanently damaged group returned to nearly normal values despite a persisting ABR threshold shift and significant loss of outer hair cells. The potential for analyzing the slope of the forward masking curve in order to distinguish between the acute phase of a permanent threshold shift and a temporary threshold shift is discussed.