Section: 
Science articles
Science articlesExposure of weak magnetic fields on auditory nerve of patients with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss
S. V. Surma (1), D. S. Klyachko (2), B. F. Shchegolev (1), E. A. Ogorodnikova (1)
(1) Pavlov Institute of Physiology, RAS, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia
(2) Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech, Saint Petersburg, 190013, Russia
UDK: 616.28-009-072.7
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18692/1810-4800-2021-5-63-67
ABSTRACT
The article shows that one of the alternative methods of treating moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss can be the use of an external weak magnetic field. The proposed method is based on the coincidence of the effects caused by the exposure of an external electromagnetic field of certain parameters on the auditory nerve, and natural acoustic exposure. The similarity of reaction allows using of external magnetic fields as an artificial stimulator of the auditory system’s neural part. Induction of applied magnetic fields does not exceed 300 µT, which means that under the current legislation such fields are classified as posing no health hazard. This method was tested at Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose, and Speech based on relevant Ethics Committee approval and complied with informed consent standards of volunteers. 15 patients aged 18 to 45 with III and IV levels of sensorineural deafness without concomitant pathologies were tested. Threshold pure-tone audiometry was performed on each patient at 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz before and after the procedure. The results of the experiments showed that electromagnetic stimulation of auditory neurons allows increasing hearing sensitivity. The proposed procedure may not yield a tangible result in patients with auditory deprivation. Patients with hearing aids showed the most significant results. At the same time, the measurements have shown that the sound thresholds among them became 10 dB lower on the average. The non-invasiveness of the exposure provided additional comfort for the patient.
Publication date:
28.10.2021
Keywords:
sensorineural hearing loss, weak magnetic field, auditory nerve, non-invasiveness.
For citation:
Surma S. V., Klyachko D. S., Shchegolev B. F., Ogorodnikova E. A. Exposure of weak magnetic fields on auditory nerve of patients with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss. Rossiiskaya otorinolaringologiya. 2021;20(5):63-67. https://doi.org/10.18692/1810-4800-2021-5-63-67