Effects of exposure to noise on permeability to potassium of the endolymph-perilymph barrier in guinea pigs.

Healthy guinea pigs were exposed to broadband noise at 115 dBA for 7 days. When perfusion of the scala vestibuli was carried with artificial perilymph containing 43K, the 43K concentrations in the perilymph of the scala tympani were very low in both control and noise-exposed guinea pigs. The transport rate constant for K+ was computed by utilizing compartmental analysis. The results indicate that exposure to noise at 115 dBA for 7 days does not alter the permeability to K+ of Reissner's membrane or the lateral wall of the cochlear duct but does decrease K+ conductance of the organ of Corti.