Effects of exposure to noise on permeability to potassium of the endolymph-perilymph barrier in Guinea pigs

Healthy guinea pigs were exposed to broadband noise at 115 dBA for 7 days. When perfusion of the scala vestibuli was carried out with artificial perilymph containing ⁴³K, the ⁴³K concentrations in the perilymph of the scala tympani were very low in both control and noise-exposed guinea pigs. The transport rate constant for K⁺ was computed by utilizing compartmental analysis. The results indicate that exposure to noise at 115 dBA for 7 days does not alter the permeability to K⁺ of Reissner's membrane or the lateral wall of the cochlear duct but does decrease K⁺ conductance of the organ of Corti.