Acoustical factors of noise created by suctioning middle ear fluid

R. F. Wetmore, W. J. Henry and D. F. Konkle
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Human Communication, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

OBJECTIVE--To quantify the intensity, spectral content, and duration of exposure for suction noise created during aspiration of middle ear fluid following myringotomy. DESIGN--Case series. SETTING--Tertiary care center. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS--Convenience sample of 245 myringotomies performed on 124 patients ranging in age from 6 months to 14 years (mean age, 2 years 8 months). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Intensity, spectral content, and duration of exposure associated with suction noise were defined by electroacoustic analysis of high-fidelity tape recordings of the noise created during suctioning middle ear fluid. RESULTS--The intensity of suction noise ranged from 74 to 117 dB; most acoustic energy was concentrated in the frequency range between 1.7 and 6.0 kHz, and the duration of exposure varied from 4 to 23 seconds.