Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced

Drugs that trap excess zinc in the inner ear could help restore lost hearing or, if administered before an expected loud sound exposure, can protect from hearing loss, study suggests. Anyone who has ever been to a loud concert knows the feeling of ringing ears. Some people experience temporary or even permanent hearing loss or drastic changes in their perception of sound after the loud noises stop. Thanos Tzounopoulos, Ph.D., director of the Pittsburgh Hearing Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has focused his scientific career on investigating how hearing works and developing ways to treat tinnitus and hearing loss. In a paper published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Tzounopoulos and his Pitt collaborators Amantha Thathiah, Ph.D., and Chris Cunningham, Ph.D., discovered a molecular mechanism of noise-induced hearing loss and showed that it could be mitigated with medication.   The study showed that noise-induced hearing loss, which affects millions of Americans, stems from cellular damage in the inner ear that is associated with the excess of free-floating zinc – a mineral that is essential for proper cellular function and hearing. Experiments in mice showed drugs that work as molecular sponges trapping excess zinc can help restore lost hearing or, if administered before an expected loud sound exposure, can protect from hearing loss. “Noise-induced hearing loss impairs millions of lives but, because the biology of hearing loss is not fully understood, preventing hearing loss has been an ongoing challenge,” said senior author Thanos Tzounopoulos, Ph.D., endowed professor and vice-chair of research of otolaryngology at Pitt. While some experience noise-induced hearing loss as a result of an acute traumatic injury to the ear, others notice a sudden hearing impairment after being continuously exposed to loud noise, for example in a battlefield or at a construction site. Others notice their hearing deteriorating after attending a loud music show. Researchers say such noise-induced hearing loss can be debilitating. Some people start hearing sounds that aren’t there, developing a condition called tinnitus, which severely affects a person’s quality of life. Tzounopoulos’ research, which focuses on the biology of hearing, tinnitus and hearing loss, strived to determine the mechanistic underpinnings of the condition in the effort to lay the groundwork for the development of effective and minimally invasive treatments in the future. By performing experiments in mice and on isolated cells of the inner ear, researchers found that hours after mice are exposed to loud noise, their inner ear zinc level spikes. Loud sound exposure causes a robust release of zinc into the extra and intracellular space which, ultimately, leads to cellular damage and disrupts normal cell to cell communication. Thankfully, this discovery opens doors for a possible solution. Experiments showed mice who were treated with a slow-releasing compound that trapped excess free zinc were less prone to hearing loss and were protected from noise-induced damage. Researchers are currently developing a treatment to be tested in preclinical safety studies with the goal of making it available as a simple, over-the-counter option to protect oneself from hearing loss. Other authors of the study are first author Brandon Bizup, Ph.D., and co-author Sofie Brutsaert, both of Pitt.

THURSDAY, Jan. 25, 2024 -- Folks think of big city life as an ear-blasting festival of noise -- taxi horns honking, jackhammers pounding, police sirens wailing and jet planes roaring overhead. But rural residents actually have a higher rate of hearing loss in both ears than city dwellers do, a new study finds. Men are also more likely than women to suffer hearing loss, with the highest rates seen among white people and seniors 65 and older. Known as the Sound Check study, the research represents the first attempt to map the prevalence of hearing loss across the United States, the investigators said. What did they discover? Largely rural states like West Virginia, Alaska, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Arizona had the highest rates of hearing loss. Meanwhile, the lowest rates of hearing loss were found in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Connecticut and the District of Columbia. “The number one risk factor for hearing loss is aging, but the map tells us that where you live impacts your hearing as well,” said principal investigator David Rein , a senior fellow at the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center. “Surprisingly, people living in urban areas with large populations and traffic noise have less hearing loss prevalence than people in rural areas,” Rein added in a university news release. The study used national data on Americans’ hearing to estimate hearing loss down to the state and even the county level, researchers said. It found that nearly 38 million Americans -- more than one in nine -- suffer from some form of bilateral hearing loss, or hearing loss in both ears. Hearing loss starts to increase significantly beginning at age 35, results show. The rate of hearing loss increases to just under one in seven for people 35 and older, and one in about one and a half for people 75 and older. The new study was published Jan. 24 in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas journal. People living in rural areas could be at higher risk for hearing loss due to noise exposure from outdoor work using heavy machinery, the researchers speculated. Rural folks also indulge in recreational activities that can harm hearing, including riding on loud all-terrain vehicles and shooting off firearms. A hunter without ear protection can damage their hearing after firing off just a few rounds from a rifle or shotgun, study co-author Nicholas Reed , an audiologist and assistant professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University, told the Associated Press . By the same token, someone riding a noisy subway could go six to eight hours before being at risk of hearing loss, Reed said. Unfortunately, people living in rural areas are also the least likely to have easy access to hearing specialists, researchers said. In older adults, hearing loss has been associated with higher risk of dementia, depression, falls, heart attack and premature death, researchers said. Hearing loss is permanent and cannot be reversed, but noise-related hearing loss can be prevented by avoiding loud noises or wearing hearing protection, researchers said. “We need to recognize the impact that hearing loss has on our emotional, social and cognitive health,” said Donna Smiley , chief staff officer for audiology at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. “What the public needs to know is that hearing is as important to your health as clear vision,” Smiley added. “Getting glasses is not a big deal, but neither is getting hearing aids or wearing hearing protection when it’s needed.” Sources University of Chicago, news release, Jan. 24, 2024 Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions. Posted January 2024 More news resources FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts Daily MedNews News for Health Professionals New Drug Approvals New Drug Applications Drug Shortages Clinical Trial Results Generic Drug Approvals Subscribe to our newsletter Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

DUBLIN, Dec. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Hearing Protection Devices - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Global Hearing Protection Devices Market to Reach $2.3 Billion by 2030 The global market for Hearing Protection Devices estimated at US$1.3 Billion in the year 2022, is projected to reach a revised size of US$2.3 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.7% over the analysis period 2022-2030. Earplugs, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record 7.8% CAGR and reach US$1.6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Earmuffs segment is estimated at 8.2% CAGR for the next 8-year period. The hearing protection devices market has experienced a slowdown, primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 on major end-use markets. These markets include construction sector, military & defense industry and forestry. The report also highlights key competitors in the hearing protection devices market and their respective market shares in 2022. Hearing protection devices are essential tools in safeguarding individuals from various sources of noise. The report provides an overview of noise levels generated by different sources and delves into the types of hearing protection devices available. It also covers various aspects related to hearing impairment, including the types and causes of hearing disorders, with a focus on noise-induced hearing loss, a significant occupational disorder. The report includes data on the incidence of hearing loss across different professions and permissible noise exposure levels in workplaces. Market outlook considerations suggest that developing economies are expected to be the future growth engines of the hearing protection devices market. Overcoming barriers to the adoption of noise control devices is identified as a key factor in driving demand for hearing protection devices. Additionally, the report offers insights into the competitive landscape, including the product portfolios of leading companies in the hearing protection device industry, as well as recent market activity in this sector. The U.S. Market is Estimated at $438.2 Million, While China is Forecast to Grow at 10.9% CAGR The Hearing Protection Devices market in the U.S. is estimated at US$438.2 Million in the year 2022. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$398.6 Million by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 10.9% over the analysis period 2022 to 2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 5% and 6.9% respectively over the 2022-2030 period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 6.2% CAGR. What`s New? Special discussions on the global economic climate and market sentiment Coverage on global competitiveness and key competitor percentage market shares Market presence analysis across multiple geographies - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial Online interactive peer-to-peer collaborative bespoke updates Access to digital archives and trademarked research platform Complimentary updates for one year Access to curated YouTube video transcripts of market sentiments shared by CEOs, domain experts and market influencers via interviews, podcasts, press statements and event keynotes MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Technology Advancements & Innovations Brighten Market Prospects Novel Hearing Protection Technologies: A Panacea to Rising Incidence of Hearing Loss Notable Product Developments Integration of HPD with Respiratory and Communication Devices Custom Molded Ear Plugs: A Vibrant Market Customized Otoplastics Get Popular Manufacturers Combine Safety with Style Addressing the Needs of Intermittent Noise Exposure Integration of Speech Enhancement Technology into Noise Suppression Devices Active Noise Reduction: Ideal for of Low-frequency Noise Levels Ear Plug Fit Testing: A High Potential Technology Manufacturers Offer Varying Sizes of Earplugs Revival in Construction Activity to Lend Future Growth Construction Sites: A High Growth Market Sources of Noise Hazards at Construction Sites Construction Companies Transition to Active Hearing Protection Solutions Resurgence in Oil and Gas Sector to Buoy Demand Global Oil & Gas E&P Industry Spending (2015-2021E) Military Hearing Health Benefits from Hearing Conservation Programs HPDs for Hearing Impaired Workers Need for Lower Attenuating and Uniform Attenuating Hearing Protectors Dual Hearing Protection: Necessary for Extreme Noise Environments Leading Regulatory Bodies: A Brief Overview Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) OSHA Guidelines Noise Exposure Standards OSHA - Permissible Noise Exposure Limits National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) American National Standards Institute (ANSI) FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS (Total 91 Featured) Honeywell International, Inc. Accolade Safety Pte. Limited Delta Plus Group Alpine Hearing Protection Gateway Safety, Inc. Hellberg Safety AB Amplifon SpA David Clark Co., Inc. Hultafors Group AB E D Bullard Company EAR, Inc. INVISIO Communications AS Audinc Custom Ear Plugs Guangzhou J&Y Safety Products Manufacturer Co., Ltd. Ear Deals Pty Limited For more information about this report visit About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo - SOURCE Research and Markets