Database: Study 29 of 41 studies               Database The inner ear – deafness and hyperacusis - TEAS First author and date Tachibana 1992 Version consulted C Condition noise-induced auditory temporary threshold shift (TTS) Study type crossover RCT N / Groupings 26 adult volunteers (24 M, 2 F, aged 19-42, mean 25.5 yrs) / active treatment vs no stimulation of electrodes Type of acupuncture SSP Points used 4 points: pretragal (SI-19), beneath zygomatic arch (ST-7), over styloid foramen (SJ-17), and paramedian point at nape of neck (GB-20) Parameters used 3 kHz and 20 Hz (alternating 3-sec cycles of each), intensity just below pain threshold (10-42 mA, mean 22.5 mA); biphasic squarewave [Trimix Nihonmedix 101 H] Stimulation duration started 15 mins before initiation of noise exposure and continued till exposure ceased Number of sessions 2 (1 active, 1 sham), at least 48 hrs apart Follow up no details Endpoint measure Bekesy audiometer for 6 mins, every 5 mins until 60 mins after exposure ceased Outcome SSP reduced TTS in majority of cases (73%), but if TTS pre-exposure small (<20 dB), SSP increased it; TTS reduction 2 mins post-exposure significantly different from that in controls (p<0.002) Additional notes SSP may be useful for prevention or treatment of noise induced hearing damage or acute acoustic trauma and for treatment of tinnitus; 2 possible mechanisms for this reduction are proposed: stimulation of olivocochlear bundle and alteration of cochlear blood flow Analysis / problems - References Tachibana M, Kiyoshita Y, Senuma H, Nakanishi H, Sasaki K Effect of transcutaneous electrostimulation on noise-induced temporary threshold shift. Acta Otolaryngologica. 1992; 112(4): 595-8 Secondary references - Data entry code DM/GG-m30/K59