Targeted Therapeutic Hypothermia Protects Against Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Rincon Sabatino et al., 2024
In a rodent model, this study applied targeted mild hypothermia directly to the cochlea using temperature-controlled microfluidic cuffs. Cooling the inner ear by 3–4°C following noise exposure preserved synaptic connections and cochlear hair cells. The results showed that therapeutic cooling can prevent permanent hearing loss. This research reinforces the idea that even short-term cooling can produce long-term neuroprotective effects.
Cool Oprotective Ear Lumen (COOL) Therapy for Cisplatin-induced Hearing Loss
Stanford et al., 2021
The COOL (Cochlear Otoprotection via Local Hypothermia) study demonstrated that cooling the ear during chemotherapy can preserve hearing. Using cold saline irrigation and cryogel pads, researchers safely lowered inner ear temperature by ~4°C for 60 minutes during cisplatin infusion. This approach prevented ototoxic damage without interfering with chemotherapy effectiveness. The findings support localized cooling as a practical strategy for hearing preservation in high-risk patients.
Researchers explored the use of ear cryotherapy to protect delicate inner ear structures. By applying topical cooling using chilled gel pads and air or saline, they achieved an estimated 3–4°C temperature reduction. This cooling significantly reduced inflammation and preserved cochlear hair cells following noise exposure. The study highlights how noninvasive cooling may serve as a protective intervention against inner ear damage.
Caloric Testing
StatsPearls
Caloric testing is a medical test used to check how well the balance system in each ear is working. Doctors gently warm or cool the ear canal with water or air, which causes the fluid inside the inner ear to move. This movement triggers reflexes that control eye motion — if the eyes don’t move the way they should, it may mean one ear isn’t working properly. The test is often used to help diagnose dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems.