Changes in otoacoustic emissions in a transsexual male during treatment with estrogen.
Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) were monitored in two human males undergoing estrogen treatment prior to sex-reversal surgery. In one subject, multiple spontaneous emissions (SOAEs) appeared where none had been evident previously. One reasonable interpretation is that (in this male, at least) androgens normally produced a suppressive effect on the cochlear mechanisms responsible for SOAEs, and that the decline in androgen levels produced by the estrogenic drug led to a reduction in that suppression.
McFadden
D
D
Department of Psychology, University of Texas, Austin 78712, USA. mcfadden@psy.utexas.edu
Pasanen
E G
EG
Callaway
N L
NL
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D003051:Cochlea / Q000187:drug effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000188:drug therapy*
D004958:Estradiol