Additive effects of toxin exposure and destruction of semicircular canal on cochlear function: an auditory brainstem response study in the rat.

Objective: To ascertain whether the severity of toxin-related hearing loss and the interval between instillation of toxin and surgical trauma affect hearing recovery capacity following semicircular canal (SCC) surgery in the rat.

Material And Methods: Twelve rats were injected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (PaExoA). Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were measured 72 h and 3 weeks later.