Sonochemistry and the organ of hearing.

Abstract

Modern life with its wailing sirens, screeching cars, blaring radios, TV, and roaring jet planes—all carrying high‐frequency ultrasonic spectra—is potentially dangerous. Progressive deafness is a sequel of sonic‐ultrasonic (us) impact upon the organ of hearing. Sonic energy as a mechanical force has been widely explored. The chemical aspect of the problem has been fully neglected. Chemical reactions on the biological structures of the labyrinth can be initiated by infinitesimal amounts of vibratory energy. The electrokinetic potentials initiate migration of ions. If the impact is of a limited capacity and duration, the response of the organ of hearing is within its physiological range, the damage is a temporary one, and reversible. If the impact is sustained, the enhanced damage becomes irreversible and progressive failure of the hearing is in the making. The ultrasonic components of sound produce an intense agitation in the labyrinthine fluid. The temperature is raised, the thermokinetic effect accelerates the rate of chemical reaction. As ultraviolet light is chemically more potent than the visible part of the spectrum, because of very short waves and greater number of vibrations/second, so are the us of shorter and greater number of waves—of greater penetrating power—due to greater absorptions. us permeates the bunched particles of the colloids, disperses them, accelerates the rate of chemical reaction, and advances: in bone, proliferation of new bony tissue; in blood, increase of Gamma globulin, fibrinogen, hemolysis, etc.; in nerve, exit of potassium ion which inhibits and paralyzes nerve function.