THE EFFECTS OF 4, COMMERCIAL CERUMINOLYTIC AGENTS ON THE MIDDLE-EAR

Four, commercially available ceruminolytic agents and physiological sa line were screened for ototoxic and inflammatory reactions on the midd le ear mucosae of guinea pigs (n=38) and dogs (n=24). Each solution wa s injected transtympanically in anesthetized animals. The effects were assessed by brain stem auditory evoked response (BAER) tests to evalu ate hearing function and by histological examination of the middle ear structures. Varying degrees of hearing loss and inflammation were obs erved in some guinea pigs and dogs treated with solutions A, C, and D, whereas no abnormal finding was associated with solution B or saline.