E. Vartiainen et J. Vartiainen, THE EFFECT OF DRINKING-WATER FLUORIDATION ON THE NATURAL COURSE OF HEARING IN PATIENTS WITH OTOSCLEROSIS, Acta oto-laryngologica, 116(5), 1996, pp. 747-750
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.