Oxymetazoline Ototoxicity in a Chinchilla Animal Model

Objective. To investigate possible ototoxic effects of a one-time application of oxymetazoline drops in a chinchilla animal model with tympanostomy tubes.

Study Design. A prospective, controlled animal study.

Setting. The Research Institute of the Montreal’s Children Hospital, McGill University Health Centre.

Subjects and Methods. Ventilation tubes were inserted in both ears of 12 animals. One ear was randomly assigned to receive oxymetazoline drops (0.5 mL). The contralateral ear did not receive any drops, serving as a control ear.

Outcome Measures. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions were measured bilaterally for a wide range of frequencies (between 1 and 16 kHz) before and 1 day after the application of oxymetazoline in the experimental ears. Two months later, the animals were sacrificed and all cochleae were dissected out and processed for scanning electron microscopy.

Results. In this established chinchilla animal model, the measured distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitudes and the morphological appearance on scanning electron microscopy were similar for both control and experimental ears.

Conclusion. Oxymetazoline did not cause ototoxicity in a chinchilla animal model 2 months after a single application via a tympanostomy tube.