ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study sensitivity to impulse noise in guinea pig, rat and mice. METHODS: Six groups were divided. Group I: Guinea pigs (n = 5) were exposed to 50 impulses of 160 dB SPL; Group II: Guinea pigs (n = 5) were exposed to 100 impulses of 160 dB SPL; Group III: Guinea pigs (n = 5) were exposed to 200 impulses of 160 dB SPL; Group IV: Guinea pigs (n = 6) were exposed 400 impulses of 160 dB SPL; Group V: Rats (n = 10) were exposed to 50 impulses of 160 dB SPL; Group VI: Mice (n = 10) were exposed to 50 impulses of 160 dB SPL. ABR thresholds were determined prior to, immediately, one day, one week, two weeks and four weeks after impulse noise exposure. RESULTS: The rat and mice were shown temporary threshold shift (TTS) and permanent threshold shift (PTS) after 50 times impulse noise (160), while no TTS and PTS in the guinea pigs but it was shown TTS and PTS after 400 times impulse noise (160). CONCLUSIONS: Sensitivity to impulse noise is different among guinea pig, rat and mouse. Guinea pig has less sensitivity to impulse noise while rat and mouse have higher sensitivity to impulse noise. In addition, rat has higher sensitivity to impulse noise than mouse.
