• The purpose of this study was to investigate the analgesic effect of lidocaine hydrochloride applied with and without iontophoresis on the human tympanic membrane. Pain thresholds were measured in 20 normal ears using a dc stimulus applied directly to the tympanic membrane with an isolated floating electrode. There was a significant rise in pain threshold with lidocaine both with and without iontophoresis, but the total anesthetic effect on the tympanic membrane was inadequate and unpredictable. Our findings are contrasted with those of other investigators.
(Arch Otolaryngol 1982;108:201-203)