Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-lj6df Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T15:22:11.195Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

An unusual case of cotton wool use to improve hearing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2009

M Bergin ,
D Murray  and
P Bird
M Bergin*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand
D Murray
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand Department of Surgery, University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, New Zealand
P Bird
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand Department of Surgery, University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, New Zealand
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Michael Bergin, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Christchurch Hospital, Private Bag 4710, Christchurch, New Zealand. Fax: +64 3 3640273 E-mail: mike.bergin@cdhb.govt.nz
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objectives:

To report an unusual observation whereby hearing was improved by insertion of cotton wool onto a retracted tympanic membrane, and to explore potential explanations for this.

Case report:

We report the case of a 56-year-old woman with a severe mixed hearing loss who was noted to have a significant improvement in her hearing using a technique shown to her many years ago by a Russian physician. Upon application of a moist piece of cotton wool, gains of up to 40 dB were observed. This was associated with a significant subjective improvement in hearing. We discuss potential mechanisms for this effect, including amplification, a baffle effect and phase differences.

Conclusion:

The mechanism of the hearing improvement observed in this case is unknown, but is likely to be related to sound amplification from the relatively large surface area of the cotton wool to the smaller oval window.

Keywords

Hearing Loss, ConductiveForeign BodyTympanic Membrane
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 8 , August 2010 , pp. 922 - 924
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Chu, E, Jackler, R. The artificial tympanic membrane (1840–1910): from brilliant innovation to quack device. Otol Neurotol 2003;24:507–18Google Scholar
2 Veale, D. A compelling desire for deafness. J Deaf Stud Deaf Educ 2006;11:369–72CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3 Yearsley, J. A New Mode of Treating Deafness when Attended by Partial or Entire Loss of the Membrana Tympani, Associated or Not with Discharge from the Ear. London: John Churchill, 1849:1–30Google Scholar
4 Burnett, CH. Uninterrupted wearing of cotton pellets as artificial drum-heads. Am J Otol 1880;2:14–21Google Scholar
5 Knapp, H. The cotton-pellet as an artificial drum-head. Arch Otol 1881;10:60–9Google Scholar
6 Core, AS. Application of cotton pellets in destruction of the membrana tympani: two cases. Arch Otol 1881;10:117–18Google Scholar
7 Graf, F. On artificial drum-membranes, and especially the cotton pellet. Arch Otol 1882;11:109–12Google Scholar
8 Raut, V, Kerr, A. Artificial tympanic membrane and ossiculoplasty. J Laryngol Otol 2001;115:485–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9 von Bekesy, G. Experiments in Hearing. London: McGraw-Hill Publishing, 1960;11–12, 95–104Google Scholar
10 Pierce, AD. Acoustics: an Introduction to its Physical Principles and Applications. New York: Acoustical Society of America, 1989;217–18Google Scholar