Differences between acoustic trauma and other types of acute noise-induced hearing loss in terms of treatment and hearing prognosis

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the differences between acoustic trauma (AT) and other types of acute noiseinduced hearing loss (ANIHL), we performed a literature search and case reviews. Methods: The literature search based on online databases was completed in September 2016. Articles on ANIHL and steroid treatment for human subjects were reviewed. The source sounds and treatment sequelae of our accumulated cases were also reviewed. Hearing loss caused by gun-shots and explosions was categorized into the AT group, while hearing loss caused by concerts and other noises was categorized into the ANIHL group. Results: Systemic steroid treatment did not appear to be effective, at least in the AT group, based on both the literature and our case reviews. However, effective recovery after treatment including steroids was observed in the ANIHL group. The difference in hearing recovery between the AT and ANIHL groups was statistically significant (p ¼ .030), although differences in age, days from the onset to treatment and pretreatment hearing levels were not significant. Conclusions: Hearing recovery from AT is very poor, whereas, ANIHL is recoverable to some extent. Therefore, it is essential to differentiate between these two groups for accurate prediction of the hearing prognosis and evaluation of treatment effects. ARTICLE HISTORY

An overview of occupational noise-induced hearing loss among workers: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and preventive measures

“…ONIHL is defined as a partial or complete hearing loss in one or both ears as the result of one’s employment; it is a function of continuous or intermittent noise exposure and usually develops slowly over several years [ 14 ]. ONIHL is different from the acoustic trauma, which is characterized by a sudden change in hearing as a result of a single exposure to a sudden burst of sound, such as explosive blasts, gunfire, and attendance at loud concerts [ 14 , 15 ]. Although there is increasing evidence that asymmetrical hearing loss occurs among individuals with ONIHL [ 16 ], typically, ONIHL is a sensory neural phenomenon involving injury to the inner ear.…”

Progressive Dominant Hearing Loss (Autosomal Dominant Deafness‐41) and P2RX2 Gene Mutations: A Phenotype–Genotype Study

“…Sensorineural hearing loss remains the most common type of hearing loss. In adults, two of the main contributing factors to this hearing loss are age (presbycusis) and noise exposure . NIHL is a leading cause of sensory disability, despite the accelerating awareness of the hazards of sustained exposure to high‐level environmental and recreational sound in society.…”

“…In adults, two of the main contributing factors to this hearing loss are age (presbycusis) and noise exposure. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] NIHL is a leading cause of sensory disability, despite the accelerating awareness of the hazards of sustained exposure to high-level environmental and recreational sound in society. Exposure to excessive levels of sound, even for short time periods, is one of the principal environmental factors of loss of hearing sensitivity and auditory acuity.…”

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“…Acute NIHL occurs after short-term exposure to very loud noise and usually presents with temporary threshold shift (TTS). 2 A permanent threshold shift (PTS) may occur depending on the duration and the severity of the noise. 3 …”