Hearing loss and phacoemulsification

Purpose: To determine the acoustic spectra of currently used phacoemulsific ation units and to contrast phacoemulsification-generated acoustic spectra with representative audiograms of common types of sensorineural hearing los s. Setting: Mayo Clinic, Rochester; Minnesota, USA. Methods: The acoustic: spectra of 3 phacoemulsification systems (Alcon Seri es 20,000 Legacy, Storz Millennium, and AMO Diplomax) were recorded in an a coustically soundproofed room using a Roland VS-880 Digital Studio Workstat ion and analyzed with a Hewlett-Packard 35660A Dynamic Signal Analyzer. Results: Phacoemulsification handpiece-generated harmonic overtones produce d during ultrasound mode (6.0, 12.0, and 18.8 kHz for the 20,000 Legacy and Diplomax: 7.0 and 14.2 kHz for the Millennium) were outside the range of m inimal decibel loss in individuals with hearing loss. Supplemental, low-fre quency, console-generated tones produced during ultrasound mode (0.4 to 2.0 kHz for the Diplomax; 0.1 to 1.5 kHz for the Millennium) were within the r ange of minimal decibel loss in individuals with hearing loss. Conclusion: Phacoemulsification systems with console-generated, low-frequen cy tones were audible to ophthalmologists with common types of sensorineura l hearing loss. J Cataract Refract Surg 2000; 26:602-608 (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.