The present study was designed to determine the degree oj hearing deficit in patients assigned to receive spinal anesthesia. and to determine if the incidence is related to the size oj spinal needle. The study comprised 26 ma1e patients assigned to receive spina1 anesthesia using either a 22-gauge (Group I) or a 26-gauge (Group II) spinal needle. Audiometric studies were perJomled preoperatively and 24 hr after operation, and the decrease oj hearing level was determined. For patients with decreased hearing level by z.10 dB, a third audiometry was perJomled 7 days postoperatively. There was a decrease ojhearing levels ojvaried intenSity in a1l patients included in both groups; however, the mean change in hearing level was signij1cant in group Ion both sides. In group I, there was a Significant (P