Effect of salicylates on gentamicin ototoxicity in humans

Reports showed a protective effect of salicylates, when given in low doses, against Gentamicin-induced ototoxicity in animals. The aim of the present study was to test this contention in humans. The study included 30 patients recruited from the chest department. Fifteen patients served as control and took Gentamicin, for 10 to 14 days. The study group included 15 patients taking the same dosage of Gentamicin in addition to aceryl salicylic acid. Audiologic evaluation was done in the form of pure tone audiometry, transient-evoked and distortion product [DP] oto-acoustic emission. The evaluation was done before the start of therapy and immediately after its cessation. In the study group, salicylates resulted in significant protection of outer hair cells against gentamicin-induced ototoxicity, which was manifested by the following: 1-Improved reproducibility of the transient emissions, although levels of emission decreased. 2-Increased DP peak levels. 3-Improved DP thresholds. 4-Increased DP levels-at-thresholds. The study recommended the use of salicylates as an adjuvant to Gentamicin to reduce the latter's ototoxic effects

self-assessment questionnaire for non-organic hearing loss

The prevalence of functional hearing loss was reported to be high in clinics receiving certain patient groups like veterans and industrial workers. This patient population constitutes a problem in a busy clinic due to the lengthened time they take to complete the evaluation. To help solve this problem a self assessment questionnaire for functional hearing loss was developed. It includes 104 questions divided into five categories that cover all possible listening situations: personal, communication, alerting sounds, psychological, and occupation. Validity and reliability issues were addressed through a pilot study. 500 patients presenting to an audiology clinic were selected and given the questionnaire prior to audiological evaluation. According to the final audiological diagnosis, patients were divided into 3 groups: normal-hearing, organic-hearing loss, and non-organic hearing loss groups. Analysis of the scores at all the categories revealed that the questionnaire could clearly differentiate the three groups from each other