Interaction of aminooxyacetic acid and ethacrynic acid with intense sound at the level of the cochlea.

Results of previous investigation of the interaction of intense sound and drugs have, in general, failed to show a protective effect mediated by pre-administration with a drug having transient ototoxic effects. The present investigation was designed to further evaluate a protective effect found previously at the anatomical level and explained with an electrochemical theory of noise damage. The alternating current (a.c) potential and compound eighth nerve action potential (CAP) amplitude were monitored in aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA)- or ethacrynic acid (EA)-treated guinea pigs exposed to either moderate or high levels of intense sound and compared to changes observed in the same potentials in animals exposed to the intense sounds alone. Results showed protective effects only in the moderate--intense sound-exposure groups, with changes in sensitivity and voltage on the linear part of the input--output curve of the a.c cochlear potential found to be the only conditions where differences occurred. These results were difficult to interpret in terms of a protective effect and point to the need for obtaining additional data before an electrochemical mechanism is shown to play a role in the effect of intense sound on the cochlea.