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Zhang D, Wu D, Wang S, Jiao J, Yang Y, Zhou W, Zeng D, Li L. The influence of occupational noise exposure on blood pressure and hearing loss among female workers of childbearing age. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1489. [PMID: 39350169 PMCID: PMC11443916 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19004-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Women exposed to occupational noise experience adverse pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, we initiated a large, population-based, cross-sectional study to further investigate the effects of occupational noise on hearing and blood pressure among female workers of childbearing age. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING A total of 6981 childbearing-aged female workers were selected for this cross-sectional study. Basic characteristics of participants were analyzed by comparing the exposed and control groups. Logistic regression models were employed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidences intervals (CIs) for the associations of occupational noise with levels of hearing loss and blood pressure. The associations were further explored through stratification by age and duration of noise exposure. RESULTS Compared with participants not exposed to occupational noise, increasing years of occupational noise exposure were independently associated with an elevated risk of hypertension after adjustment of age, industry classification, enterprise size and economic type. Compared to participants not exposed to occupational noise, only the prevalence of bilateral hearing loss was significantly higher after adjustments for age, industry classification, enterprise size and economic type. Compared with those with normal hearing, the ORs and 95% CIs were 1.97 (0.95-4.07), 2.22 (1.05-4.68) and 1.29 (1.06-1.57) for bilateral, unilateral and any ear hearing loss, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Occupational noise exposure is positively associated with both hypertension and bilateral hearing loss among female workers of childbearing age. Those exposed to occupational noise show an increased risk of hypertension after adjusting for potential confounders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danhua Zhang
- The Third people's Hospital of Henan Province (Henan Hospital for Occupational Disease ), Henan, China.
| | - Di Wu
- The Third people's Hospital of Henan Province (Henan Hospital for Occupational Disease ), Henan, China
| | - Sihua Wang
- The Third people's Hospital of Henan Province (Henan Hospital for Occupational Disease ), Henan, China
| | - Jie Jiao
- The Third people's Hospital of Henan Province (Henan Hospital for Occupational Disease ), Henan, China
| | - Yan Yang
- The Third people's Hospital of Henan Province (Henan Hospital for Occupational Disease ), Henan, China
| | - Wenhui Zhou
- The Third people's Hospital of Henan Province (Henan Hospital for Occupational Disease ), Henan, China
| | - Dong Zeng
- The Third people's Hospital of Henan Province (Henan Hospital for Occupational Disease ), Henan, China
| | - Leike Li
- Zhengzhou Occupational Disease Research Institute, Henan, China
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Zarus GM, Ruiz P, Benedict R, Brenner S, Carlson K, Jeong L, Morata TC. Which Environmental Pollutants Are Toxic to Our Ears?-Evidence of the Ototoxicity of Common Substances. TOXICS 2024; 12:650. [PMID: 39330578 PMCID: PMC11435700 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12090650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Ototoxicity refers to the adverse effects of substances on auditory or vestibular functions. This study examines the evidence of ototoxicity's association with exposure to common environmental pollutants, as documented in toxicological profiles by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Our aim was to evaluate whether the evidence supports modifying the charting of ototoxic effects in the summary tables of these toxicological profiles and providing a guide for scientists to access these data. Health outcomes of interest included hearing loss, vestibular effects, cochlear lesions, tonal alterations, cellular damage, and ototoxicity-related outcomes (neurological, nephrotoxic, hepatic, and developmental effects). We obtained ototoxicity information for 62 substances. Hearing-related effects were reported, along with neurological effects. Overall, 26 profiles reported strong evidence of ototoxicity, including 13 substances previously designated as ototoxic by other health and safety agencies. Commonly studied outcomes included hearing loss, damage to ear anatomy, and auditory dysfunction. Vestibular dysfunction and tinnitus are rarely studied. Our findings highlight the lack of conclusive evidence of ototoxic properties for many substances, especially for pesticides and herbicides. This review supports charting the evidence of ototoxicity separately in toxicological profiles' summary tables. Improving the communication of ototoxicity-related health effects might impact their recognition and prompt further research. A stronger evidence base could support improved prevention efforts in terms of serious health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M. Zarus
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Office of Innovation and Analytics, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA; (P.R.); (R.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Patricia Ruiz
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Office of Innovation and Analytics, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA; (P.R.); (R.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Rae Benedict
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Office of Innovation and Analytics, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA; (P.R.); (R.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Stephan Brenner
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Office of Innovation and Analytics, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA; (P.R.); (R.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Krystin Carlson
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA; (K.C.); (T.C.M.)
| | - Layna Jeong
- Georgia Tech School of Biological Sciences, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA;
| | - Thais C. Morata
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA; (K.C.); (T.C.M.)
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Sjöström M, Lewné M, Alderling M, Selander J, Gustavsson P. An updated job-exposure matrix for occupational noise: development and validation. Ann Work Expo Health 2024; 68:146-154. [PMID: 38069686 PMCID: PMC10877457 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxad074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to create a quantitative job-exposure matrix (JEM) for noise including a large set of measurements for the Swedish workforce, a detailed exposure-level assessment, spanning over an extensive time period from 1970 to 2014. METHODS The JEM was developed by 2 teams, each with an experienced occupational hygienist and an occupational safety engineer. Each pair assessed the exposure using measurements performed and reported by occupational hygienists, occupational safety engineers, or similar, from 1970 to 2014. The measurements included either the original LAeq(8h) measurements or an LAeq(8h) levels calculated from partial measurements of the working day, provided that the measurement targeted a regular task usually performed during a full workday. The collection of measurement reports was done in 2008 and 2012 by contacting clinics working in the area of occupational health or occupational safety engineers and their submitted reports were added to our own material. Noise exposure assessments were inserted at the appropriate time period for the relevant job family. The final matrix was developed in a consensus procedure and the validity was investigated by comparison of the 2 team's individual results. RESULTS The noise JEM contains 321 job families with information regarding occupational noise from 1970 to 2014. The time-period label has a 5-yr scale starting in 1970. The estimated average 8 h (TWA) noise level in decibels [dB(A)] for every job family and 5-yr period was coded as 1: <70 dB(A), 2: 70 to 74 dB(A), 3: 75 to 79 dB(A), 4: 80 to 84 dB(A) or 5: 85(+) dB(A). The validation showed no systematic difference in relative position and very high agreement in the ordering of paired ordinal classifications. The JEM has also successfully been applied in several epidemiological studies. CONCLUSIONS We present a JEM for occupational noise using Swedish data from 1970 to 2014 with a higher degree of sensitivity in assessed noise exposure compared with the previously existing version. Repeated application of the JEM, in epidemiological studies, has shown consistent results and contributed to yielding important findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Sjöström
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 4, 10th floor, SE 113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Solnavägen 4, 10th floor, SE 113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Lewné
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 4, 10th floor, SE 113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Alderling
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 4, 10th floor, SE 113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jenny Selander
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 4, 10th floor, SE 113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Gustavsson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 4, 10th floor, SE 113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Solnavägen 4, 10th floor, SE 113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
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Yang L, Gutierrez DE, Guthrie OW. Systemic health effects of noise exposure. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2024; 27:21-54. [PMID: 37957800 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2023.2280837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Noise, any unwanted sound, is pervasive and impacts large populations worldwide. Investigators suggested that noise exposure not only induces auditory damage but also produces various organ system dysfunctions. Although previous reviews primarily focused on noise-induced cardiovascular and cerebral dysfunctions, this narrow focus has unintentionally led the research community to disregard the importance of other vital organs. Indeed, limited studies revealed that noise exposure impacts other organs including the liver, kidneys, pancreas, lung, and gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the aim of this review was to examine the effects of noise on both the extensively studied organs, the brain and heart, but also determine noise impact on other vital organs. The goal was to illustrate a comprehensive understanding of the systemic effects of noise. These systemic effects may guide future clinical research and epidemiological endpoints, emphasizing the importance of considering noise exposure history in diagnosing various systemic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Cell & Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Daniel E Gutierrez
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA
| | - O'neil W Guthrie
- Cell & Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
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Fredriksson S, Li H, Söderberg M, Gyllensten K, Widén S, Persson Waye K. Occupational noise exposure, noise annoyance, hearing-related symptoms, and emotional exhaustion - a participatory-based intervention study in preschool and obstetrics care. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 2023; 78:423-434. [PMID: 38018749 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2023.2283010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
A participatory-based intervention was performed in Sweden, aimed at improving the sound environment in one preschool (n = 20) and one obstetric ward (n = 50), with two controls each (n = 28, n = 66). Measured sound levels, and surveys of noise annoyance, hearing-related symptoms and emotional exhaustion were collected before, and three and nine months after the interventions, comparing intervention and control groups over time. The results of this first implementation in a limited number of workplaces showed significantly worsening of hyperacusis, sound-induced auditory fatigue, emotional exhaustion and increased sound levels in the preschool, and worsening of noise annoyance in both intervention groups. Increased risk awareness, limited implementation support and lack of psychosocial interventions may explain the worsening in outcomes, as might the worse baseline in the intervention groups. The complexity of the demands in human-service workplaces calls for further intervention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Fredriksson
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Habilitation & Health, Hearing Organization, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Huiqi Li
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mia Söderberg
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kristina Gyllensten
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stephen Widén
- School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Persson Waye
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Jahn KN, Polley DB. Asymmetric hearing thresholds are associated with hyperacusis in a large clinical population. Hear Res 2023; 437:108854. [PMID: 37487430 PMCID: PMC11075140 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2023.108854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Hyperacusis is a debilitating auditory condition whose characterization is largely qualitative and is typically based on small participant cohorts. Here, we characterize the hearing and demographic profiles of adults who reported hyperacusis upon audiological evaluation at a large medical center. Audiometric data from 626 adults (age 18-80 years) with documented hyperacusis were retrospectively extracted from medical records and compared to an age- and sex-matched reference group of patients from the same clinic who did not report hyperacusis. Patients with hyperacusis had lower (i.e., better) high-frequency hearing thresholds (2000-8000 Hz), but significantly larger interaural threshold asymmetries (250-8000 Hz) relative to the reference group. The probability of reporting hyperacusis was highest for normal, asymmetric, and notched audiometric configurations. Many patients reported unilateral hyperacusis symptoms, a history of noise exposure, and co-morbid tinnitus. The high prevalence of both overt and subclinical hearing asymmetries in the hyperacusis population suggests a central compensatory mechanism that is dominated by input from an intact or minimally damaged ear, and which may lead to perceptual hypersensitivity by overshooting baseline neural activity levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly N Jahn
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, 1966 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Daniel B Polley
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Shehabi AM, Prendergast G, Guest H, Plack CJ. Noise Exposure in Palestinian Workers Without a Diagnosis of Hearing Impairment: Relations to Speech-Perception-in-Noise Difficulties, Tinnitus, and Hyperacusis. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2023; 66:1085-1109. [PMID: 36802819 DOI: 10.1044/2022_jslhr-22-00461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Many workers in developing countries are exposed to unsafe occupational noise due to inadequate health and safety practices. We tested the hypotheses that occupational noise exposure and aging affect speech-perception-in-noise (SPiN) thresholds, self-reported hearing ability, tinnitus presence, and hyperacusis severity among Palestinian workers. METHOD Palestinian workers (N = 251, aged 18-70 years) without diagnosed hearing or memory impairments completed online instruments including a noise exposure questionnaire; forward and backward digit span tests; hyperacusis questionnaire; the short-form Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12); the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory; and a digits-in-noise (DIN) test. Hypotheses were tested via multiple linear and logistic regression models, including age and occupational noise exposure as predictors, and with sex, recreational noise exposure, cognitive ability, and academic attainment as covariates. Familywise error rate was controlled across all 16 comparisons using the Bonferroni-Holm method. Exploratory analyses evaluated effects on tinnitus handicap. A comprehensive study protocol was preregistered. RESULTS Nonsignificant trends of poorer SPiN performance, poorer self-reported hearing ability, greater prevalence of tinnitus, greater tinnitus handicap, and greater severity of hyperacusis as a function of higher occupational noise exposure were observed. Greater hyperacusis severity was significantly predicted by higher occupational noise exposure. Aging was significantly associated with higher DIN thresholds and lower SSQ12 scores, but not with tinnitus presence, tinnitus handicap, or hyperacusis severity. CONCLUSIONS Workers in Palestine may suffer from auditory effects of occupational noise and aging despite no formal diagnosis. These findings highlight the importance of occupational noise monitoring and hearing-related health and safety practices in developing countries. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.22056701.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan M Shehabi
- Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Audiology and Speech Therapy, Birzeit University, Palestine
| | - Garreth Prendergast
- Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Guest
- Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J Plack
- Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, Lancaster University, United Kingdom
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Gyllensten K, Fredriksson S, Widen S, Persson Waye K. The experience of noise in communication-intense workplaces: A qualitative study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280241. [PMID: 36622846 PMCID: PMC9829168 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to explore and describe how workers in communication-intense workplaces in health care and preschools experience the sound environment. The dependence on vocal communication and social interaction poses a challenge using hearing protection in these working environments. METHOD A qualitative method was used, more specifically inductive thematic analysis was used, as this approach was deemed suitable to explore the staff's experiences of the sound environment. Data were collected by interviews and to increase trustworthiness, several researchers were involved in the data collection and analysis. STUDY SAMPLE Workers from two preschools, one obstetrics ward and one intensive care unit took part in the study. RESULTS Four main themes emerged from the thematic analysis: A challenging and harmful sound environment; Health-related effects of a challenging and harmful sound environment; A good sound environment is not prioritised; and Resourceful and motivated staff. CONCLUSIONS Workers in communication-intense workplaces in preschools, obstetrics care and intensive care reported that there was a relationship between the sound environment and negative health effects. In addition, the results suggests that the high motivation for change among staff should be utilised together with an increased prioritization from the management to reach innovative context specific improvements to the sound environment in communication intense working environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Gyllensten
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Gothenburg, and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Sofie Fredriksson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stephen Widen
- School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Persson Waye
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Zhang X, Li N, Cui Y, Wu H, Jiao J, Yu Y, Gu G, Chen G, Zhang H, Yu S. Plasma metabolomics analyses highlight the multifaceted effects of noise exposure and the diagnostic power of dysregulated metabolites for noise-induced hearing loss in steel workers. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:907832. [PMID: 36060246 PMCID: PMC9437629 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.907832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Noise exposure can lead to various kinds of disorders. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the leading disorders confusing the noise-exposed workers. It is essential to identify NIHL markers for its early diagnosis and new therapeutic targets for its treatment. In this study, a total of 90 plasma samples from 60 noise-exposed steel factory male workers (the noise group) with (NIHL group, n = 30) and without NIHL (non-NIHL group, n = 30) and 30 male controls without noise exposure (control group) were collected. Untargeted human plasma metabolomic profiles were determined with HPLC-MS/MS. The levels of the metabolites in the samples were normalized to total peak intensity, and the processed data were subjected to multivariate data analysis. The Wilcoxon test and orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were performed. With the threshold of p < 0.05 and the variable importance of projection (VIP) value >1, 469 differential plasma metabolites associated with noise exposure (DMs-NE) were identified, and their associated 58 KEGG pathways were indicated. In total, 33 differential metabolites associated with NIHL (DMs-NIHL) and their associated 12 KEGG pathways were identified. There were six common pathways associated with both noise exposure and NIHL. Through multiple comparisons, seven metabolites were shown to be dysregulated in the NIHL group compared with the other two groups. Through LASSO regression analysis, two risk models were constructed for NIHL status predication which could discriminate NIHL from non-NIHL workers with the area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.840 and 0.872, respectively, indicating their efficiency in NIHL diagnosis. To validate the results of the metabolomics, cochlear gene expression comparisons between susceptible and resistant mice in the GSE8342 dataset from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were performed. The immune response and cell death-related processes were highlighted for their close relations with noise exposure, indicating their critical roles in noise-induced disorders. We concluded that there was a significant difference between the metabolite’s profiles between NIHL cases and non-NIHL individuals. Noise exposure could lead to dysregulations of a variety of biological pathways, especially immune response and cell death-related processes. Our results might provide new clues for noise exposure studies and NIHL diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuzhi Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ningning Li
- Department of Scientific Research and Foreign Affairs, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yanan Cui
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Hui Wu
- Henan Institute for Occupational Health, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jie Jiao
- Henan Institute for Occupational Health, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yue Yu
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Guizhen Gu
- Henan Institute for Occupational Health, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Guoshun Chen
- Wugang Institute for Occupational Health, Wugang, Henan, China
| | - Huanling Zhang
- Wugang Institute for Occupational Health, Wugang, Henan, China
| | - Shanfa Yu
- School of Public Health, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- *Correspondence: Shanfa Yu,
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Jahn KN. Clinical and investigational tools for monitoring noise-induced hyperacusis. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 152:553. [PMID: 35931527 PMCID: PMC9448410 DOI: 10.1121/10.0012684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Hyperacusis is a recognized perceptual consequence of acoustic overexposure that can lead to debilitating psychosocial effects. Despite the profound impact of hyperacusis on quality of life, clinicians and researchers lack objective biomarkers and standardized protocols for its assessment. Outcomes of conventional audiologic tests are highly variable in the hyperacusis population and do not adequately capture the multifaceted nature of the condition on an individual level. This presents challenges for the differential diagnosis of hyperacusis, its clinical surveillance, and evaluation of new treatment options. Multiple behavioral and objective assays are emerging as contenders for inclusion in hyperacusis assessment protocols but most still await rigorous validation. There remains a pressing need to develop tools to quantify common nonauditory symptoms, including annoyance, fear, and pain. This review describes the current literature on clinical and investigational tools that have been used to diagnose and monitor hyperacusis, as well as those that hold promise for inclusion in future trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly N Jahn
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA
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Shehabi AM, Prendergast G, Guest H, Plack CJ. The Effect of Lifetime Noise Exposure and Aging on Speech-Perception-in-Noise Ability and Self-Reported Hearing Symptoms: An Online Study. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:890010. [PMID: 35711902 PMCID: PMC9195834 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.890010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal research shows that aging and excessive noise exposure damage cochlear outer hair cells, inner hair cells, and the synapses connecting inner hair cells with the auditory nerve. This may translate into auditory symptoms such as difficulty understanding speech in noise, tinnitus, and hyperacusis. The current study, using a novel online approach, assessed and quantified the effects of lifetime noise exposure and aging on (i) speech-perception-in-noise (SPiN) thresholds, (ii) self-reported hearing ability, and (iii) the presence of tinnitus. Secondary aims involved documenting the effects of lifetime noise exposure and aging on tinnitus handicap and the severity of hyperacusis. Two hundred and ninety-four adults with no past diagnosis of hearing or memory impairments were recruited online. Participants were assigned into two groups: 217 "young" (age range: 18-35 years, females: 151) and 77 "older" (age range: 50-70 years, females: 50). Participants completed a set of online instruments including an otologic health and demographic questionnaire, a dementia screening tool, forward and backward digit span tests, a noise exposure questionnaire, the Khalfa hyperacusis questionnaire, the short-form of the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing scale, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, a digits-in-noise test, and a Coordinate Response Measure speech-perception test. Analyses controlled for sex and cognitive function as reflected by the digit span. A detailed protocol was pre-registered, to guard against "p-hacking" of this extensive dataset. Lifetime noise exposure did not predict SPiN thresholds, self-reported hearing ability, or the presence of tinnitus in either age group. Exploratory analyses showed that worse hyperacusis scores, and a greater prevalence of tinnitus, were associated significantly with high lifetime noise exposure in the young, but not in the older group. Age was a significant predictor of SPiN thresholds and the presence of tinnitus, but not of self-reported hearing ability, tinnitus handicap, or severity of hyperacusis. Consistent with several lab studies, our online-derived data suggest that older adults with no diagnosis of hearing impairment have a poorer SPiN ability and a higher risk of tinnitus than their younger counterparts. Moreover, lifetime noise exposure may increase the risk of tinnitus and the severity of hyperacusis in young adults with no diagnosis of hearing impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan M. Shehabi
- Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Audiology and Speech Therapy, Birzeit University, Birzeit, Palestine
| | - Garreth Prendergast
- Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Guest
- Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Plack
- Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
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