Effects of Rotatory Low-Frequency Mastoid Vibrations on Auditory Function in Normal Volunteers

PENG Rishunzi; ZHENG Guiliang; ZHANG Qing; ZHENG Hongliang; ZOU Jing

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-2922.2015.01.021

Abstract：Objective To evaluate the safety of a newly designed rotatory low-frequency mastoid vibration system with respect to the auditory system. Methods Twelve normal volunteers without vertigo were enrolled in the study, including 10 males and 2 females, aged from 23 to 25 years. The vibrator was placed on the right mastoid process with assistance of a special holder. The vibration lasted for 30 minutes. Pure-tone audiometry was performed on both sides before and at 30 minutes, 1 week, and 1 year after exposure to the rotatory low-frequency vibrations. Thresholds at different frequencies at various times post-vibration exposure were compared to the thresholds before exposure using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results At 30 minutes after vibration exposure, there was a significant improvement in bone conduction hearing threshold at 0.25, 0.5 and 1 kHz (3, 5 and 3 dB threshold decrease respectively) in ears that had been exposed to the vibration (p<0.05). At 7 days after vibra?tion exposure, a significant decrease in the air-conduction threshold in the contralateral ear at 0.25 kHz and 0.5 kHz was record?ed (p<0.05). At 1 year after exposure, there were controversial changes in the exposed ear, showing a 6 dB decrease at 0.25 and 0.5 kHz (p<0.05) and a 10 dB increase at 8 kHz (p<0.01) in air conduction threshold, but a increase at 0.25, 0.5 and 1 kHz in bone-conduction threshold (8, 3 or 4 dB respectively) (p<0.01 or 0.05, Wilcoxon test). There appeared to be air conduction hear?ing loss at 4 and 8 kHz (7 and 10 dB threshold increase respectively) and bone conduction loss at 0.25 through 4 kHz (7, 6, 6, 8 and 8 dB threshold increase at each tested frequency respectively) in the contralateral ear. Conclusion There is no clear pattern in the small hearing threshold change shortly after exposure to rotatory low frequency mastoid vibration. The changes seen at 1 year after exposure are not consistent with typical vibration-induced hearing threshold change. Therefore, the rotatory low-fre?quency mastoid vibration system for vertigo therapy is safe to the auditory system.