title: Hair color and hearing loss: a survey in a group of military men.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been shown that low levels of pigmentation increase susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss in humans. For this reason, white populations develop more pronounced noise- induced hearing loss in comparison to black populations. Similarly, blue-eyed individuals exhibit greater temporary threshold shift than brown-eyed subjects; still, no strong correlation has been verified between the lightness of hair color and susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss. This study was performed with the purpose of investigating a possible association between hair color and the degree of hearing loss due to firing noise.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A tertiary referral center with an accredited otorhinolaryngology-head & neck surgery department.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 57 military recruits were divided into two groups; light-colored (blond and light brown) and dark-colored hair (dark brown and black). The two groups were matched based on history of firing noise exposure (number of rounds; type of weapon) and the level of hearing loss at 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 kHz sound frequencies was compared between them.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that the mean level of hearing loss of light-colored hair individuals (20.5±17dB) was significantly greater than that of dark-haired subjects (13.5±11dB), (P=0.023).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that hair color (blond versus black) can be used as an index for predicting susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss in military environments. Therefore, based on the individual's hair color, upgraded hearing conservation programs are highly recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of otorhinolaryngology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir Hossain
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Ghazizadeh
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakhshaee
authors.forename: Ebrahim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mahdavi
authors.forename: Rahman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Movahhed
keywords: Disease Susceptibility; Hair color; Hearing loss; Noise-induced; Pigmentation