Acoustical Factors of Noise Created by Suctioning Middle Ear Fluid

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.