A drug to prevent noise related hearing loss?

Pieter Jeroen Dunning

Aug 27, 2015

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, the US Army is testing a new drug that researchers hope will help prevent hearing loss caused by noise. As anyone who has served in the Military can tell you, noise is often a fact of life. Standard hearing protection is not always enough to completely protect hearing when noise levels can reach well over an ear piercing 120 dB.

It is thought that noise exposure produces reactive molecules in the inner ear, which damage the sensitive organs of hearing. The drug being tested works by neutralizing these molecules. The hope is that this will help reduce damage during and after noise exposure. If it does there may be other applications for the drug such as being used to help prevent hearing loss in industrial and construction workers.

The drug is in the early stages of trials, so time will tell if it is a viable option for hearing protection. For now, don't throw away those earplugs. It will be awhile before this or any other drug to prevent noise induced hearing loss is on the market.

If you are exposed to noise regularly and have concerns about your hearing please contact one of our offices to arrange a hearing screening.

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*Source: http://www.wsj.com/articles/army-tests-hearing-drug-at-the-rifle-range-1440182197

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