Hearing loss after spinal anesthesia : A comparative prospective randomized cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: In this comparative randomized cohort study, we aimed at evaluating the occurrence of sensorineural hearing loss after general and spinal anesthesia using both subjective and objective tests.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients scheduled for elective cesarean section were approached, of which 21 patients received spinal anesthesia (group S), and 16 patients received general anesthesia (group G). In group S, a 27 G pencil point spinal needle was used. Pure tone audiometry and Distortion Product OtoAcoustic Emissions (DPOAE) were performed before and 48 hours after surgery.

RESULTS: No between-group significant difference in pre and postoperative audiometric hearing threshold and pure tone average value were noticed, as well as in pre and postoperative DPOAE amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

CONCLUSION: In this study, we did not observe any hearing loss after cesarean section under general or spinal anesthesia. Using the non-traumatic 27 gauge pencil point needle for performing spinal anesthesia does not seem to be associated with a risk of hearing loss, similarly to general anesthesia.