Hearing function in a hyperbaric environment.

Navy divers' hearing function was assessed as part of three saturation deep dives to 1,000 feet of sea water (fsw) to determine explanations for threshold shifts observed under hyperbaric conditions. Across the three deep dives, different aspects of the ear were evaluated, including air- and bone-conduction pure-tone thresholds, real ear probe microphone measurements, auditory evoked potentials, and central auditory processing assessments. Attempts to measure middle ear function and cochlear function (through otoacoustic emissions) were unsuccessful.

Noise-induced neurologic disturbances in divers exposed to intense water-borne sound: two case reports.

Divers may be exposed to intense noise underwater. Two cases of neurologic disturbances during experimental exposures to 15 min of continuous underwater sound are described. Sound exposure in the first case consisted of a warble tone with center frequency of 240 Hz and a sound pressure level of 160 dB re 1 microPa.

Relationship between magnitude estimation of resistive loads, inspiratory pressures, and the RREP P(1) peak.

This study investigated the relationship among resistive load magnitude (DeltaR), the cortical evoked potential P(1) peak amplitude of the respiratory-related evoked potential (RREP), mouth pressure (Pm), esophageal pressure (Pes), transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi), and resistive load magnitude estimation (ME) in human subjects. The RREP, Pdi, Pes, Pm, and ME were recorded in response to three DeltaR values. The RREP was recorded from C(3) and C(4), referenced to the vertex C(Z).

Relationship between resistive loads and P1 peak of respiratory-related evoked potential.

This study investigated the relationship between resistive-load (DeltaR) magnitude, the first positive peak (P1) amplitude of the respiratory-related evoked potential (RREP), and load-magnitude estimation (ME). The first experiments determined the subject's (n = 9) ME of five DeltaR magnitudes randomly presented at the onset of an inspiration or by interrupting an inspiration. No significant differences were found in the slopes of the two different presentations, but the subjects estimated the interrupted inspiratory loads to be of lesser magnitude than loads presented at the onset of the breath.

Evaluation of noise within the MK 12 SSDS helmet and its effect on divers' hearing.

The noise inside the U.S. Navy MK 12 SSDS helmet was measured and its effect on the hearing of divers assessed.