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Measurement of the sound intensity during suction of middle-ear fluid following myringotomy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2014

J C Wang ,
S J Allen ,
A I Rodriguez ,
C Zahner ,
S Dissanaike ,
S Zupancic  and
J Marchbanks
J C Wang
Affiliation:
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
S J Allen
Affiliation:
Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
A I Rodriguez
Affiliation:
Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
C Zahner
Affiliation:
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
S Dissanaike
Affiliation:
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
S Zupancic
Affiliation:
Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
J Marchbanks*
Affiliation:
Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
*
Address for correspondence: Dr John Marchbanks, 3601 4th Street STOP 8312, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA Fax: 001-806-743-2374 E-mail: jrbanks32@aol.com
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Abstract

Objective:

To determine noise intensity during middle-ear aspiration in order to evaluate whether levels can be potentially harmful.

Methods:

In this prospective, observational study, middle-ear effusion was aspirated following myringotomy using a suction instrument with a probe tube microphone. Sound pressure levels and duration were measured, and frequency domain analysis was performed.

Results:

Forty-four ears were analysed, consisting of 20 with mucoid effusion, 11 with serous effusion and 13 with no effusion. Maximum peak sound intensity ranged from 84 to 157 dB. Half of the ears (50 per cent) were exposed to greater than 140 dB; of these, 82 per cent were exposed for longer than 0.2 ms (range, 0.05–14 ms). There was no significant difference in sound pressure level between ears with mucoid and serous effusion; however, ears with mucoid effusion required longer suction times (p < 0.0030). In addition, peak intensity was greater for ears with mucoid effusion versus those with serous or no effusion (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Middle-ear aspiration during myringotomy caused noise levels within a potentially harmful range.

Keywords

Sound SpectrographySuctionOtitis Media With EffusionMiddle Ear Ventilation
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 128 , Issue 7 , July 2014 , pp. 604 - 611
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2014 

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Footnotes

Presented orally at the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting (The Triological Society), 12 April 2013, Orlando, Florida, USA.

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