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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
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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

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