THE INFLUENCE OF INNER-EAR MELANIN ON SUSCEPTIBILITY TO TTS IN HUMANS

Influence of inner ear melanin on susceptibility to TTS in humans. Barrenäs. M.-L. and Lindgren, F. (Department of Audiology Sahlgrenska Sjukhuset, Göteborg, Sweden). Scand Audiol 1990; 19: 97-102 In order to investigate the function of the inner ear melanin, the relationship between skin pigmentation and noise-induced temporary hearing loss (TTS) was studied. Forty-four normal-hearing Caucasian subjects were divided into three groups according to their sun sensitivity. Hearing thresholds before and after exposure were ascertained with a computerized swee.: frequency audiometer in the frequency range 2-8 kHz. The noise exposure consisted of a 1/3-octave band-filtered noise with a centre frequency of 2 kHz at 105 dB SPL for 10 min. The mean TTS in the frequency range 2-8 kHz showed statistically significant differences between the three groups, i.e. the most pigmented subjects developed least TTS. and the least pigmented subjects most TTS. © 1990, Informa UK Ltd. All rights reserved.