Otoacoustic emissions: An approach for monitoring aminoglycoside‐induced ototoxicity

TLDR

Ototoxic drugs such as aminoglycosides damage outer hair cells in the inner ear, and transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) reflect outer hair cell function, potentially indicating ototoxic influence. The study proposes monitoring TEOAEs as an early detection method to prevent aminoglycoside‑induced ototoxicity. The authors measured TEOAEs in nine patients receiving amikacin sulfate, with treatment durations ranging from 9 to 33 days. Most patients exhibited a reversible drop in overall TEOAE level after more than 16 days of treatment.

Abstract

Ototoxic drugs, such as aminoglycosides, affect outer hair cell integrity in the inner ear. Transiently evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) characteristics are related to outer hair cell function and can be expected to reflect the influence of ototoxic agents. Transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions were measured during amikacin sulfate therapy in nine patients. The duration of treatment for individual patients ranged from 9 to 33 days. A reversible decrease of overall TEOAE level, occurring after a treatment period longer than 16 days, was found in the majority of patients. The monitoring of TEOAEs is proposed as a method for early identification and, as a result, prevention of aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity.