by Daniel Fink, MD, Chair, The Quiet Coalition
This article in The Hearing Journal reviews research on genetic susceptibilities to hearing loss from noise exposure. The author notes that 34 genetic variants have been reported to show an association with increased susceptibility to hearing loss from noise exposure. She concludes that “[f]urther work on the genetic and cellular bases of NIHL could enable the characterization of individual susceptibilities and help prevent this widespread disease.”
Actually, additional work isn’t needed to help prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Additional research is always good, but the molecular bases of NIHL are very well understood.
Even better understood is how to prevent it: Avoid exposure to loud noise, leave the noisy environment, or wear hearing protection of one can’t do either. The CDC states that NIHL is 100% preventable.
Because noise exposure causes hearing loss, and if something sounds too loud, it is too loud.
