Sympathectomy improves the ear's resistance to acoustic trauma – could stress render the ear more sensitive?

• DOI: 10.1046/j.0953-816x.2000.01386.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-06T14:36:58Z
• Authors: Kathleen C. Horner; Fabrice Giraudet; Michel Lucciano; Yves Cazals
• Keywords: Superior cervical ganglion; Auditory fatigue

Abstract Emotional stress is a phenomenon experienced by many people at some time in their lives. Some of its early manifestations, such as unbearable loudness ambient sounds and sensations dizziness, might be linked to inner ear dysfunction. Although the supplied with substantial sympathetic innervation, previous studies have failed demonstrate any significant functional impact. We show here that awake guinea pig following unilateral ablation superior cervical ganglion, temporary threshold shift induced 1‐min exposure 8 kHz pure tone 96 dB sound pressure level was reduced much 40 dB. Of interest, protective effect bilateral suggesting an intimate relationship between olivocochlear efferent systems. The data presented provide new evidence for key role system modulating shifts moderate stimulation. This opens perspectives investigation control noise‐induced permanent hearing losses.