Diving induced sensori-neural deafness: prophylactic use of heparin and preliminary histopathology results.

Abstract

AbstractPenner9 and Jaffe10 have postulated that hypercoagulation, embolic, and thrombotic problems may precipitate sudden deafness by affecting the microcirculation of the inner ear. These syndromes have been found to occur in decompression sickness11 and deafness and vestibular attacks are known to occur with diving.4 In our laboratory, we were able to demonstrate severe cochlear potential losses in guinea pigs with the induction of decompression sickness. The problem was largely prevented by the prophylactic administration of heparin.Preliminary study of the temporal bones of a guinea pig with a severe post‐dive vestibular attack and loss of cochlear potential function showed the presence of hemorrhage in the perilymph of the auditory and vestibular system.The above results are interpreted as evidence that hypercoagulation, embolic and thrombotic problems may precipitate a loss of cochlear dysfunction — most likely in a diving situation and potentially in cases of sudden deafness not related to diving.