Diving induced sensori‐neural deafness: Prophylactic use of heparin and preliminary histopathology results

Abstract

Penner9 and Jaffe10 have postulated that hypercoagulation, embolic, and thrombotic problems may precipitate sudden deafness by affecting the microcirculation of the inner ear. These syndromes have been found to occur in decompression sickness11 and deafness and vestibular attacks are known to occur with diving.4 In our laboratory, we were able to demonstrate severe cochlear potential losses in guinea pigs with the induction of decompression sickness. The problem was largely prevented by the prophylactic administration of heparin. Preliminary study of the temporal bones of a guinea pig with a severe post‐dive vestibular attack and loss of cochlear potential function showed the presence of hemorrhage in the perilymph of the auditory and vestibular system. The above results are interpreted as evidence that hypercoagulation, embolic and thrombotic problems may precipitate a loss of cochlear dysfunction — most likely in a diving situation and potentially in cases of sudden deafness not related to diving.

Can Diving-induced Tissue Nitrogen Supersaturation Increase the Chance of Acoustically Driven Bubble Growth in Marine Mammals?

“…The surface tension experienced by bubble nuclei within an organism more likely lies somewhere between zero and that of nuclei in water. This factor should be of particular consideration given that biochemical adaptations in cetacean blood, for example a potent heparin, have been proposed to protect cetaceans from bubble growth and embolism (McCormick et al, 1973). Certainly the prospect for recti"ed di!usion exists, particularly given the expected degree of gas supersaturation after some diving event, but the application of model predictions to real-world scenarios would bene"t from reevaluation under more realistic conditions.…”

Spontaneous genetic hypertension in the rat and its relationship to reduced ac cochlear potentials: implications for preservation of human hearing.

“…The surgery, anesthesia, sound stimulation, and cochlear potential-recording procedures that we used have been described (23). Briefly, a surgical exposure of the round window was made through the mastoid bone, and a silver ball electrode was placed on the round window membrane.…”

Biophysical basis for inner ear decompression sickness

“…Isolated inner ear damage is a more plausible explanation for these cases. Inner ear damage has been demonstrated by in vivo studies in guinea pigs (15) and squirrel monkeys (11) subjected to decompression.…”