Background and aim:
The noise given off by the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) device during treatment may put hearing and vestibular system at risk. Therefore, this study attempts to explore the effect of the noise generated by the ESWL device on hearing and vestibular systems of patients receiving such a method of management.
Patients and methods:
Thirty patients (60 ears), who were candidates for management by ESWL were examined. Each patient of this study underwent the following: (a) basic audiological evaluation including: pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and middle ear immittance measurement; (b) transient evoked otoacoustic emissions; (c) vestibular evaluation: videonystagmography.
Results:
There was increase in pure-tone thresholds of both ears in the post-ESWL as compared to pre-ESWL sessions at high frequencies (2–4 kHz). There was a statistically significant difference between response level in dBSPL of both ears at pre-ESWL and post-ESWL sessions at frequencies (2, 3, and 4 kHz). Two (6.7%) patients in the study developed unilateral weakness in the post-ESWL sessions. There was a significant difference in positioning and positional tests between pre-ESWL and post-ESWL sessions.