The Effects of Midazolam on Pure Tone Audiometry, Speech Audiometry, and Audiological Reaction Times in Human Volunteers

Neurocognitive changes in patients with hepatitis C receiving interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin

“…With regard to benzodiazepines, Kelly et al 37 found a significant increase in reaction time (audiologic reaction times, 10 dB) of 12% (500 ms at baseline versus 560 ms after application) in 15 subjects receiving midazolam (0.04 mg/kg; clinical, sedating dose).…”

Hearing loss following general anesthesia

“…Hearing disorders have been reported as unusual complications in general anesthesia. Even though several cases of postoperative conductive hearing loss and aural fullness secondary to variations in middle ear pressure during general anesthesia have been reported, little is known about the possible ototoxic effects of drugs commonly used in general anesthesia (1–8).…”

“…High‐dosage morphine agonists have proved to be responsible of permanent cochlear injury, though the pathogenetic mechanism is still poorly understood (6). Benzodiazepines, in the common clinical dosage, do not affect hearing capability as measured by pure tone audiometry, but they can reduce patients' ability to react to auditory signals, with important implications especially in day‐case procedures (5). Therefore, in patients with mild‐moderate bilateral hearing loss or profound unilateral deafness, the use of drugs not affecting CBF during general anesthesia is of great importance.…”