• Aren Bezdjian, Mario A Mujica-Mota, Michelle Azzi, and Sam J Daniel.
• McGill Auditory Sciences Laboratory, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, McGill University, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
• Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 2014 Dec 1; 78 (12): 2136-9.

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study is to examine the effects of tea tree oil on hearing function and cochlear morphology after intratympanic administration in a chinchilla animal model.MethodsNine chinchillas received intratympanic injection of 3% tea tree oil dissolved in olive oil in one ear, whereas the contralateral control ear received olive oil only. Outcome measures included auditory brainstem responses conducted before treatment and at 10 days and 30 days following the injection. Post-mortem cochlear morphology was assessed using scanning electron microscopy.ResultsAt 10 and 30 days following the injection, there was no significant change in auditory brain response thresholds at 8, 16, 20 or 25kHz. Scanning electron microscopy imaging showed no damage to auditory hair cells.ConclusionTea tree oil (3%) does not appear to be ototoxic in a chinchilla animal model. Future preclinical and clinical studies are required to establish the effectiveness of TTO in treating otitis.Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

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