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Comparative Study
. 2000 Apr;26(4):602-8.
doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(99)00405-8.

Hearing loss and phacoemulsification

R D Ten Hulzen  1 , J C Erie, D A Fabry
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Hearing loss and phacoemulsification

R D Ten Hulzen et al. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2000 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the acoustic spectra of currently used phacoemulsification units and to contrast phacoemulsification-generated acoustic spectra with representative audiograms of common types of sensorineural hearing loss.

Setting: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Methods: The acoustic spectra of 3 phacoemulsification systems (Alcon Series 20,000 Legacy, Storz Millennium, and AMO Diplomax) were recorded in an acoustically soundproofed room using a Roland VS-880 Digital Studio Workstation and analyzed with a Hewlett-Packard 35660A Dynamic Signal Analyzer.

Results: Phacoemulsification handpiece-generated harmonic overtones produced 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 minimal decibel loss in individuals with hearing loss. Supplemental, low-frequency, 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 range of minimal decibel loss in individuals with hearing loss.

Conclusion: Phacoemulsification systems with console-generated, low-frequency tones were audible to ophthalmologists with common types of sensorineural hearing loss.

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