THE EFFECT OF DRINKING-WATER FLUORIDATION ON THE NATURAL COURSE OF HEARING IN PATIENTS WITH OTOSCLEROSIS

The effect of drinking water fluoridation on the course of hearing of non-operated otosclerotic ears was assessed in an area where the natur al waters have a very low fluoride content. The study population consi sted of 150 patients with surgically proven otosclerosis. Patients hav ing an additional known cause of hearing loss were excluded from the s tudy. Every patient had a follow-up of at least 5 years, the mean foll ow-up period being 8.8 years. At last follow-up examination, air condu ction thresholds of patients drinking fluoridated lap water were found to be significantly better than those of patients drinking fluoride-p oor water, likewise there were significant differences in bone conduct ion thresholds at 1, 2, and 4 kHz. It was concluded that drinking wate r fluoridation has a beneficial effect on hearing levels of non-operat ed otosclerotic ears.