Effect of Electroacupuncture on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Rats

Figure 1

In total, 35 rats were divided into five groups (7 rats in the group for experiment A). Control: the control group did not receive 121-dB noise stimulation or electroacupuncture (EA) treatment; pre-EA: pre-EA group received 2-Hz EA treatment at TE3 (intensity of 2 mA for 1 hour) prior to noise stimulation; noise: the noise group received 121-dB noise stimulation for 2 hours only; post-EA: post-EA group received EA treatment at TE3 after noise stimulation; EA-only: EA-only group received EA treatment at TE3 only. ABR: auditory brain stem response; baseline: ABR recording prior to EA or noise treatment; Im.: immediate period after noise stimulation; day 3 (D3): 3 days after noise stimulation; week 1 (W1): 1 week after noise stimulation; week 2 (W2): 2 weeks after noise stimulation; week 3 (W3): 3 weeks after noise stimulation; week 4 (W4): 4 weeks after noise stimulation; yes: performed; no: not performed.