Figure 1

Days 1, 3, and 5: basal cortisol assessment. Saliva samples were taken 1) after waking before leaving the bed; 2) 30 min. later; 3) immediately before lunch; 4) immediately before dinner; and 5) immediately before going to bed. DEX (dexamethasone) was administered on Day 1 at 23:00. Day 2: samples were taken at the lab at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, and 12:00. Day 4: no samples were taken. Hearing assessments (HA) were made on Day 0 (pre-DEX) and Day 2 (post-DEX) at the same time of day.