Efficacy of the Antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in Protecting Ears Exposed to Loud Music

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (04) ◽  
pp. 265-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Kramer ◽  
Laura Dreisbach ◽  
Jill Lockwood ◽  
Kristy Baldwin ◽  
Richard Kopke ◽  
...  

Antioxidants have been reported to be effective in reducing acoustic trauma in animal models but have not been studied in humans. In this study, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was evaluated to determine if it would reduce temporary changes in auditory function as a result of exposure to loud music in humans. Pure-tone thresholds and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were collected in 31 normal-hearing participants, using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, before and after two hours of live music in a nightclub. Using repeated measures analysis of variance, no statistically significant differences were found between participants who received NAC versus a placebo for any of the outcome measures. Across all subjects, the largest pure-tone threshold shift occurred at 4 kHz. DPOAE measures were characterized by reductions in amplitude and a trend for shorter group delay values. When the 3 and 4 kHz data were examined by imposing specific criteria of greater than 2 dB DPOAE amplitude reductions and 10 dB or greater pure-tone threshold shifts, DPOAE reductions occurred more often at 3 kHz, and pure-tone shifts occurred more often at 4 kHz.

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (07) ◽  
pp. 619-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamakshi V. Gopal ◽  
Liana E. Mills ◽  
Bryce S. Phillips ◽  
Rajesh Nandy

AbstractRecreational noise–induced hearing loss (RNIHL) is a major health issue and presents a huge economic burden on society. Exposure to loud music is not considered hazardous in our society because music is thought to be a source of relaxation and entertainment. However, there is evidence that regardless of the sound source, frequent exposure to loud music, including through personal audio systems (PAS), can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, difficulty processing speech, and increased susceptibility to age-related hearing loss.Several studies have documented temporary threshold shifts (TTS) (a risk indicator of future permanent impairment) in subjects that listen to loud music through their PAS. However, there is not enough information regarding volume settings that may be considered to be safe. As a primary step toward quantifying the risk of RNIHL through PAS, we assessed changes in auditory test measures before and after exposure to music through the popular iPod Touch device set at various volume levels.This project design incorporated aspects of both between- and within-subjects and used repeated measures to analyze individual groups.A total of 40 adults, aged 18–31 years with normal hearing were recruited and randomly distributed to four groups. Each group consisted of five males and five females.Subjects underwent two rounds of testing (pre- and postmusic exposure), with a 30-min interval, where they listened to a playlist consisting of popular songs through an iPod at 100%, 75%, 50%, or 0% volume (no music). Based on our analysis on the Knowles Electronic Manikin for Acoustic Research, with a standardized 711 coupler, it was determined that listening to the playlist for 30 min through standard earbuds resulted in an average level of 97.0 dBC at 100% volume, 83.3 dBC at 75% volume, and 65.6 dBC at 50% volume. Pure-tone thresholds from 500–8000 Hz, extended high-frequency pure tones between 9–12.5 kHz, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) were obtained before and after the 30-min music exposure. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed with two between-subjects factors (volume and gender) and one within-subjects factor (frequency). Change (shift) in auditory test measures was used as the outcome for the ANOVA.Results indicated significant worsening of pure-tone thresholds following music exposure only in the group that was exposed to 100% volume at the following frequencies: 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 kHz. DPOAEs showed significant decrease at 2000 and 2822 Hz, also only for the 100% volume condition. No significant changes were found between pre- and postmusic exposure measures in groups exposed to 75%, 50%, or 0% volume conditions. Follow-up evaluations conducted a week later indicated that pure-tone thresholds had returned to the premusic exposure levels.These results provide quantifiable information regarding safe volume control settings on the iPod Touch with standard earbuds. Listening to music using the iPod Touch at 100% volume setting for as little as 30 min leads to TTS and worsening of otoacoustic emissions, a risk for permanent auditory damage.


2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. E9-E17
Author(s):  
Günhan Gökahmetoğlu ◽  
Sibel Pehlivan ◽  
Recep Aksu ◽  
Cihangir Biçer

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of esmolol and dexmedetomidine to achieve controlled hypotension on cochlea by measuring otoacoustic emission and stapedius reflex. Methods: In this prospective, double-blind pilot study, patients scheduled for elective tympanoplasty, rhinoplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery operation were randomly assigned to two groups, and received either dexmedetomidine (n=23) or esmolol (n=24) during surgery to maintain a mean arterial blood pressure between 55 and 65 mmHg. Distortion product otoacoustic emission tests (DPOAE) were performed 24 hours before and after the operation and during surgery (in the 20th and 40th minutes of the operation). Results: In the intra-group comparison, a statistically significant decrease was present at t20 (2,000 and 4,000 Hz frequency band) and t40 (1,000 and 1,500 Hz) according to the baseline value in the dexmedetomidine group (n=23); in the esmolol group (n=24), a statistically significant decrease (relative to the baseline value) was also detected at t20 and t40 for the 1,000 Hz frequency band. No damage was found on stapes reflexes with the infusion of these drugs. Conclusions: Infusion of dexmedetomidine and esmolol decreased DPOAE levels during the operations, but DPOAE levels returned to normal in the postoperative period, and had no effect on stapes reflexes. Studies with larger groups of patients are needed to confirm these results in tympanoplasty and other surgeries.


Author(s):  
Nuriye Yıldırım Gökay ◽  
Bülent Gündüz ◽  
Fatih Söke ◽  
Recep Karamert

Purpose The effects of neurological diseases on the auditory system have been a notable issue for investigators because the auditory pathway is closely associated with neural systems. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the efferent auditory system function and hearing quality in Parkinson's disease (PD) and to compare the findings with age-matched individuals without PD to present a perspective on aging. Method The study included 35 individuals with PD (mean age of 48.50 ± 8.00 years) and 35 normal-hearing peers (mean age of 49 ± 10 years). The following tests were administered for all participants: the first section of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale; pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and acoustic reflexes; and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and contralateral suppression of DPOAEs. SPSS Version 25 was used for statistical analyses, and values of p < .05 were considered statistically significant. Results There were no statistically significant differences in the pure-tone audiometry thresholds and DPOAE responses between the individuals with PD and their normal-hearing peers ( p = .732). However, statistically significant differences were found between the groups in suppression levels of DPOAEs and hearing quality ( p < .05). In addition, a statistically significant and positive correlation was found between the amount of suppression at some frequencies and the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale scores. Conclusions This study indicates that medial olivocochlear efferent system function and the hearing quality of individuals with PD were affected adversely due to the results of PD pathophysiology on the hearing system. For optimal intervention and follow-up, tasks related to hearing quality in daily life can also be added to therapies for PD.


2013 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Marlanie Govender ◽  
Cyril Devdas Govender ◽  
Glenda Matthews

Objective: To evaluate cochlear functioning in patients (18 - 45 years old) with varying stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Using purposive sampling, 50 participants, 10 in each of the 5 stages of CKD, were selected and underwent pure tone audiometric testing and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs).Results: Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between pure tone audiometry and DPOAEs in detecting early cochlear dysfunction in the high-frequency range in stages 3 (6 000/5 000 Hz; p=0.00), 4 (6 000/5 000 Hz; p<0.03) and 5 (4 000/3 333 Hz; p<0.01, 8 000/6 667 Hz:p<0.05) with DPOAEs being more sensitive in identifying early cochlear dysfunction. Patients in stages 1 and 2 presented with normal puretone thresholds and DPOAEs, suggesting that cochlear functioning in these patients was normal. Early cochlear dysfunction, thereby indicating a subclinical hearing loss, was identified in stages 3, 4 and 5 by DPOAE testing. In addition, blood test results, drug intake and concomitant conditions were recorded and analysed which suggested a relationship between reduced cochlear functioning and increased electrolyte levels, treatment regimens and concomitant conditions.Conclusion: Participants in the later stages of CKD presented with early cochlear dysfunction, presenting with subclinical hearing loss. It was postulated that this subclinical hearing loss resulted from a combination of electrolytic, urea and creatinine imbalances, together with concomitant medical conditions and ototoxic drug intake. It was concluded that audiological monitoring be included in the management of patients with CKD and that DPOAEs be introduced as part of the test battery to monitor cochlear function in patients with varying degrees of CKD.


2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Meyrna Heryaning Putri ◽  
Pudji Rahaju ◽  
Dyah Indrasworo

Latar belakang: Kemoterapi neoadjuvan adalah induksi kemoterapi sebelum radioterapi dengan regimen cisplatin dan 5-Fluorouracil. Kemoterapi cisplatin bersifat ototoksik pada pendengaran sensorineural bilateral progresif dan bersifat irreversible. Kriteria dari American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) dan Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) merupakan kriteria untuk mengidentifikasi ototoksisitas dengan menggunakan audiometri, selain pemeriksaan Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE). Tujuan: Mengidentifikasi hubungan ototoksisitas dengan kemoterapi neoadjuvan pada penderita karsinoma nasofaring (KNF) WHO tipe III menggunakan ASHA, CTCAE, serta DPOAE. Metode: Studi ini adalah penelitian observasional dengan desain cohort. Kriteria inklusi penelitian yaitu penderita baru KNF WHO tipe III, yang mendapatkan kemoterapi regimen standar dan berusia <60 tahun. Kriteria pemeriksaan DPOAE adalah penderita dengan ambang dengar ≤40 dB. Percontoh dilakukan pemeriksaan timpanometri, audiometri, dan DPOAE. Hasil: Terdapat 9 sampel percontoh penelitian. Uji repeated-ANOVA menunjukkan tidak ditemukan perbedaan bermakna pada tiga hasil pengukuran audiometri antara pascakemoterapi pertama, kedua, dan ketiga (p>0,05). Deteksi awal ototoksisitas menggunakan kriteria ASHA menunjukkan sensitivitas sebesar 67% dan dan CTCAE 44%, dibandingkan baku emas menggunakan DPOAE. Kesimpulan: Ototoksisitas cisplatin ditemukan sejak kemoterapi pertama dengan menggunakan pemeriksaan DPOAE walaupun tidak bermakna secara statistik. Kemampuan DPOAE untuk mendeteksi awal ototoksisitas lebih baik dibandingkan kriteria ASHA dan CTCAE yang menggunakan audiometri nada murni.Kata kunci: Karsinoma nasofaring, ototoksisitas sisplatin, DPOAE, CTCAE, ASHA ABSTRACT Introduction: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is induction chemotherapy before radiotherapy with cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracyl regiment. Chemotherapy cisplatin is ototoxic, leads to frequently progresive and irreversible bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) are the criteria to determine ototoxicity with audiometry, beside Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE). Purpose: To identify the relationship between ototoxicity with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients NPC WHO type III using ASHA, CTCAE, and DPOAE. Method: This observational study approach with cohort design. Inclusion criteria: new patients NPC WHO type III who consented to undergo standard regiment chemotherapy, and age <60 year-old. For DPOAE examination: hearing level ≤40 dB. Exclucion criteria: NPC WHO type III patients who underwent chemotherapy with unconventional standard regiment. Examinations for hearing function conducted with tympanometry, pure tone audiometry, and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE). Result: There were 9 sample in this study. The result of Repeated-ANOVA test showed no significant difference in three audiometry measurements among three series of chemotherapies. Early detection of ototoxicity using ASHA and CTCAE criterias showed sensitivity of 67% and 44% (compared with DPOAE as a gold standard). Conclusion: Cisplatin ototoxicity had occured since the first chemotherapy and detected with DPOAE, but statistically was not significantly related. Early detection of cisplatin ototoxicity with DPOAE was much better than with criteria American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), which used pure tone audiometry.Keywords: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, cisplatin ototoxicity, DPOAE, CTCAE, ASHA


Revista CEFAC ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgea Espindola Ribeiro ◽  
Daniela Polo Camargo da Silva

ABSTRACT Purpose: to survey the national and international literature on the impacts of the coronavirus infection on the auditory system. Methods: an integrative review with search in the BIREME, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences databases. Inclusion criteria: articles in Portuguese and English whose subject was the coronavirus infection and its effects on the auditory system. Exclusion criteria: information from books and/or chapters, letters to editors, review articles, experience reports. The search strategy was based on the following combined descriptors, respectively in Portuguese and English: “Infecções por coronavírus”, “Audição”, “Perda auditiva”, “Coronavirus infections”, “Hearing”, “Hearing Loss”. Results: out of 43 articles found, two approached the issue. The first study assessed 20 patients that tested positive for COVID-19, though asymptomatic, who underwent pure-tone threshold audiometry and otoacoustic emissions. A significant increase in the auditory thresholds at high frequencies and a smaller response amplitude in the transient evoked otoacoustic emissions of those who tested positive for COVID-19 were observed when compared to that of controls. The second study reported the case of an asymptomatic 35-year-old COVID-19 female patient, who complained of otalgia and tinnitus, after being contaminated. The pure-tone threshold audiometry and tympanometry indicated mild unilateral (right ear) conductive hearing loss, with a type B tympanometric curve on that side. Conclusion: the studies included in this review showed different consequences of COVID-19 on hearing, with possible impairments on the sensory and mechanical structures of the auditory system. The knowledge of COVID-19 is limited, and further studies on its real impact on the auditory system are necessary.


2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ole J Møllerløkken ◽  
Nils Magerøy ◽  
Magne Bråtveit ◽  
Ola Lind ◽  
Bente E Moen

Many amateur musicians are likely to be exposed to high sound levels during rehearsals. Measuring otoacoustic emissions (OAE) is an objective technique to assess hearing ability and can be used as an early predictor of hearing loss. This study aimed to record sound levels at an amateur brass band rehearsal and to examine the cochlear function of the musicians by evaluating distortion product (DP) OAE amplitudes before and after sound exposure. Twenty-four brass band musicians and 10 office workers were examined with personal noise measurements and DPOAE tests before and after a music rehearsal or one office workday, respectively. The sound levels in the brass band ranged from 92 to 100 dB(A), LaEQ 96 dB(A). However, the amateur brass band members had no change in DPOAEs after this exposure compared to pre-exposure levels and compared to office workers.


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