title: Noise-induced hearing loss: an occupational medicine perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Up to 30 million workers in the United States are exposed to potentially detrimental levels of noise. Although reliable medications for minimizing or reversing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) are not currently available, NIHL is entirely preventable. The purpose of this article is to review the epidemiology and pathophysiology of occupational NIHL. We will focus on at-risk populations and discuss prevention programs. Current prevention programs focus on reducing inner ear damage by minimizing environmental noise production and through the use of personal hearing protective devices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NIHL is the result of a complex interaction between environmental factors and patient factors, both genetic and acquired. The effects of noise exposure are specific to an individual. Trials are currently underway evaluating the role of antioxidants in protection from, and even reversal of, NIHL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occupational NIHL is the most prevalent occupational disease in the United States. Occupational noise exposures may contribute to temporary or permanent threshold shifts, although even temporary threshold shifts may predispose an individual to eventual permanent hearing loss. Noise prevention programs are paramount in reducing hearing loss as a result of occupational exposures.
authors.affiliation: aMichigan Ear Institute, Farmington Hills bDepartment of Otolaryngology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Emily Z
authors.initials: EZ
authors.lastname: Stucken
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009314:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D014481:United States; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration