Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental vibratory damage of the inner ear

  • Otology
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head & Neck Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of the experiment was to determine the effect of whole-body vibration on the inner ear. The investigations were carried out on 40 guinea pigs, subjected to sinusoidal vibration (10 Hz/5 mm/1.4 g rms) for 1 to 6 months in a noiseless apparatus. Cochlear microphonic measurements were done with a phase-sensitive detection technique for the levels 70, 80 and 90 dB and the frequencies of 0.26, 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz from the apex of the cochlea and for 4 and 8 kHz from the region of the round window. Analysis of 1,440 measurements suggested the possibility of damage appearing in the upper turnings of the cochlea. The subsequent morphological analysis was based on the estimation of the state of the hair cells (a three-degree scale of injury) in a Zeiss DSM 950 scanning microscope and of the structure of the fibers of the acoustic nerve in a Zeiss EM 900 transmission microscope. Vibration-induced changes were seen in all the examined inner ears of the experimental groups. Hair-cell damage was more often seen in the region of the apex, spreading gradually in the direction of the base and from the circumference (outer hair cells of the third row) to the modiolus. The most characteristic vibrational changes of the acoustic nerve fibers occurred in 100% of the examined myelin sheaths and were visible as decreases in their electrodensity. The changes in both the assessed elements of the inner ear appeared simultaneously but independently and were directly connected with the duration of the experiment. The results obtained allow an explanation of the mechanism of hearing loss in persons subjected to whole-body vibration. The damages done to the inner ear structures may cause a worsening of hearing there, especially in the low and medium frequencies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Chodynicki S, Hermanowicz A (1976) Histochemical changes in Corti’s organ of guinea pigs exposed to vibration and noise (in Polish). Otolaryngol Pol 30:119–124

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Dallos P, Cheatham MA (1976) Production of cochlear potentials by inner and outer hair cells. J Acoust Soc Am 60:510–512

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Enin IP (1965) Morphological alterations in the organ of hearing of laboratory animals under the effect of high-parameter vibration and of noise (in Russian). Vestn Otorinolaringol:25–29

    Google Scholar 

  4. Filipowski M (1978) Effect of mechanical vibration on the microphonic potential in guinea pigs (in Polish). Otolaryngol Pol 32:509–515

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Gleich O, Wilson S (1993) The diameters of guinea pig auditory nerve fibers: distribution and correlation with spontaneous rate. Hear Res 71:69–79

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Guseev YuM, Skromida GT, Zbirak NP (1978) Histomorphologic changes in the hearing organ of experimental animals under the influence of occupational noise and vibration. Zh Ushn Nos Gorl Bol (in Russian):60–65

    Google Scholar 

  7. Hamernik RP, Henderson D, Coling D, Slepecky N (1980) The interaction of whole body vibration and impulse noise. J Acoust Soc Am 67:928–934

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Hermanowicz A (1979) Histochemical changes in the spiral organ of guinea pigs after long-term exposure to noise and vibration (in Polish). Otolaryngol Pol 33:55–61

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Ho ST, Yu HS (1989) Ultrastructural changes of the peripheral nerve induced by vibration: an experimental study. Br J Ind Med 46:157–164

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Hoeffding V, Feldman ML (1988) Degeneration in the cochlear nerve of the rat following cochlear lesions. Brain Res 449:104–115

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Iki M (1994) Vibration-induced white finger as a risk factor for hearing loss and postural instability. Nagoya J Med Sci [Suppl 57]:137–145

    Google Scholar 

  12. Jauhiainen T, Kohonen A, Tarkanen J, Kaimio M (1969) The effect of whole body vibration on the cochlea. Laryngoscope 79:1950–1955

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Johnsson LG, Hawkins JE Jr (1972) Sensory and neural degeneration with aging, as seen in microdissections of the human inner ear. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 81:179–193

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Lindeman HH, Bredberg G (1972) Scanning electron microscopy of the organ of Corti after intense auditory stimulation: effects on stereocilia and cuticular surface of hair cells. Arch Klin Exp Ohr Nas Kehlkopfheilk 203:1–15

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Lundborg G, Dahlin LB, Danielsen N, Hansson HA, Necking LE, Pyykkö I (1987) Intraneural edema following exposure to vibration. Scand J Work Environ Health 13:326–329

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. McGinn MD, Faddis BT (1987) Auditory experience affects degeneration of the ventral cochlear nucleus in mongolian gerbils. Hear Res 31:235–244

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Michalski W, Pospiech L, Dziewiszek W, Bochnia M (1997) The device for measurement of microphonic potentials of inner ear (in Polish). BUP 25:9

    Google Scholar 

  18. Nekhoroshev AS (1990) Combined effects of noise and vibration on the cells of the hearing and vestibular organs (in Russian). Vestn Otorinolaringol:27–30

    Google Scholar 

  19. Palmer KT, Griffin MJ, Bendall H, Pannett B, Coggon D (2000) Prevalence and pattern of occupational exposure to whole body vibration in Great Britain: findings from a national survey. Occupat Environ Med 57:229–236

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Palmer KT, Griffin MJ, Bendall H, Pannett B, Coggon D (2000) Prevalence and pattern of occupational exposure to hand transmitted vibration in Great Britain: findings from a national survey (comment). Occupat Environ Med 57:218–228

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Palmer KT, Griffin MJ, Syddall H, Pannett B, Cooper C, Coggon D (2001) Risk of hand-arm vibration syndrome according to occupation and sources of exposure to hand-transmitted vibration: A national survey. Am J Indust Med 39:389–396

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Palmer KT, Griffin MJ, Syddall HE, Pannett B, Cooper C, Coggon D (2002) Raynaud’s phenomenon, vibration induced white finger, and difficulties in hearing. Occupat Environ Med 59:640–642

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Pyykko I, Pekkarinen J, Starck J (1987) Sensory-neural hearing loss during combined noise and vibration exposure. An analysis of risk factors. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 59:439–454

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Reiss G (1992) Atypical cells in the normal guinea pig organ of Corti as revealed by micromanipulation in SEM. Microsc Res Tech 20:288–297

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Rogowski M, Chodynicki S (1987) The effect of vibration and gentamicin on hearing organ in guinea pigs (in German). HNO Prax 12:219–223

    Google Scholar 

  26. Seidel H, Heide R (1986) Long-term effects of whole-body vibration: a critical survey of the literature. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 58:1–26

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Sliwinska-Kowalska M, Sulkowski W, Rydzynski K, Jedlinska (1993) U Hearing loss caused by noise—functional and pathomorphological study in guinea pigs (in Polish). Otolaryngol Pol [Suppl 14]:445–452

  28. Suzuka Y, Schuknecht HF (1988) Retrograde cochlear neuronal degeneration in human subjects. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) [Suppl 450]:1–20

  29. Taylor W, Pelmear PL (1990) The hand-arm vibration syndrome: an update. Br J Ind Med 47:577–579

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Temkin YaS (1970) The achievements of soviet otorhinolaryngology in the study and prophylaxis of occupational diseases (in Russian). Vestn Otorinolaryngol:119–127

    Google Scholar 

  31. Thorne PR, Duncan CE, Gavin JB (1986) The pathogenesis of stereocilia abnormalities in acoustic trauma. Hear Res 21:41–49

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Úlehlová L (1973) Normal cellular pattern of the organ of Corti in the guinea pig. Arch Klin Exp Ohr Nas Kehlkopfheilk 204:321–330

    Google Scholar 

  33. Wasserman DE (1994) Vibration exposure and prevention in the United States. Nagoya J Med Sci [Suppl 57]:211–218

  34. Wender M, Adamczewska-Gancerzewicz Z, Stanisławska J, Pankrac J, Talkowska D, Grochowalska A (1987) Effect of acute hypoxia on myelin lipids. Neuropatol Pol 25:107–115

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Ylikoski J, Collan Y, Palva T (1978) Pathologic features of the cochlear nerve in profound deafness. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 104:202–207

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Ylikoski J, Savolainen S (1984) The cochlear nerve in various forms of deafness. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 98:418–427

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a grant of the Heinrich-und-Alma-Vogelsang-Stiftung.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Wroclaw, 50-368 ul. Chalubinskiego 2, Wroclaw, Poland

    Marek Bochnia

  2. Department of General and Special Pathology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany

    Konrad Morgenroth

  3. Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland

    Wojciech Dziewiszek

  4. Department of Genetics, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland

    Jerzy Kassner

Authors
  1. Marek Bochnia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Konrad Morgenroth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wojciech Dziewiszek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jerzy Kassner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marek Bochnia.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bochnia, M., Morgenroth, K., Dziewiszek, W. et al. Experimental vibratory damage of the inner ear. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 262, 307–313 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-004-0799-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-004-0799-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation