Organic solvents and hearing loss: The challenge for audiology

Abstract

Organic solvents have been reported to adversely affect human health, including hearing health. Animal models have demonstrated that solvents may induce auditory damage, especially to the outer hair cells. Research on workers exposed to solvents has suggested that these chemicals may also induce auditory damage through effects on the central auditory pathways. Studies conducted with both animals and humans demonstrate that the hearing frequencies affected by solvent exposure are different to those affected by noise, and that solvents may interact synergistically with noise. The present article aims to review the contemporary literature of solvent-induced hearing loss, and consider the implications of solvent-induced auditory damage for clinical audiologists. Possible audiological tests that may be used when auditory damage due to solvent exposure is suspected are discussed.

Oxymorphone Insufflation Associated with Acute Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Case Files of the University of Massachusetts Medical Toxicology Fellowship

“…Carbon disulfide, styrene, trichloroethylene, and toluene have been associated with hearing loss in humans [13]. In animal models, ethyl benzene, n-hexane, and xylene demonstrate ototoxic properties [13,14].…”

“…Carbon disulfide, styrene, trichloroethylene, and toluene have been associated with hearing loss in humans [13]. In animal models, ethyl benzene, n-hexane, and xylene demonstrate ototoxic properties [13,14]. Numerous studies have also explored hearing loss in workers exposed to mixtures of organic solvents, as may commonly occur in industrial workplaces [13].…”

“…Numerous studies have also explored hearing loss in workers exposed to mixtures of organic solvents, as may commonly occur in industrial workplaces [13]. Animal models have shown a synergistic effect between noise and organic solvent exposure on hearing loss, but this effect has not been demonstrated in humans [13].…”

Chemobrain: A translational challenge for neurotoxicology

“…The bulk of this literature is based mostly on conventional audiograms except for organic solvents (Fechter and Pouyatos, 2005;Chang et al, 2006;Odkvist et al, 1992). Fuente and McPherson (2006), reviewing the effects of organic solvents, emphasize that tests beyond conventional audiometry such as otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and evoked potentials (e.g., brainstem auditory evoked responses, or BAERs) make it possible to detect auditory damage at an early stage. Such a conclusion, based on incipient workplace neurotoxicity rather than the often parlous status of treated patients, is a message for both neurotoxicologists and oncologists.…”

Deafness in the developing world: the place of cochlear implantation

“…Many developing countries still use industrial organic solvents without adequate control, usually in an occupational setting where they are combined with other hazardous agents such as noise. 7 In Asia, many factories use high concentrations of solvents in different industrial processes, the footwear industry being a good example. However, many of these factories do not control the levels of solvents used, and the environmental concentrations of these chemicals within workplaces may be totally unknown.…”