The influence of fluoridation of drinking water on the long-term hearing results of stapedectomy.
The long-term hearing results of stapedectomy were assessed in 294 patients with otosclerosis living in an area where the natural waters have a very low fluoride content. Only patients with an initially successful outcome were included. Patients having an additional known cause of hearing loss were excluded. The mean follow-up period was 9 yr. From the best hearing levels achieved 6 to 12 months after surgery, the mean air conduction thresholds showed an annual impairment of 0.4 to 1.1 dB/year and bone conduction thresholds an annual impairment of 0.5 to 1.0 dB/year. There was no significant difference between patients drinking fluoridated tap water and those drinking low-fluoride water. It is concluded that a daily sodium fluoride intake of 1 to 3 mg in a low-fluoride area is too small to have a significant effect on hearing impairment after stapedectomy.
Vartiainen
E
E
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kuopio, Finland.
Vartiainen
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D001844:Bone Conduction / Q000187:drug effects; D005387:Finland; D005457:Fluoridation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006309:Hearing / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013201:Stapes Surgery; D014867:Water
D014867:Water; D012969:Sodium Fluoride