Abstract
The effect of oxygenation through the round window membrane was estimated using polarographic technique and the combined action potential of the inner ear. The calculated amount of oxygen permeable through the thin three-layered round window membrane (14% in room air and 80% in pure oxygen) revealed to have very limited effect in maintaining the inner ear potential. Carbogen inflation in maintaining the Nl amplitude during asphyxia was significantly effective only in case of sound stimulation at 8KHz. Oxygen supply by this route, however, may enable the inner ear tissue alive even in misery perfusion and recover the high tone potential as a therapy of the early stage of sudden deafness where the oxygen supply through the inner ear vessels is considerably damaged.
