The effects of low-frequency ultrasound on the inner ear: an electrophysiological study using the guinea pig cochlea.

By examining 218 albino guinea pigs, electrophysiological methods were used to investigate the effects of low frequency ultrasound at moderate sound pressure levels after long-term exposure to the inner ear. From 10 kHz to 28 kHz, low frequency ultrasound below 100 dB SPL induced significant changes in cochlear microphonics, elevated thresholds and decreased maximum output voltage of action potentials and decreased absolute values of negative potentials of the endocochlear potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]