Does Sound Conditioning Protect Against Temporary Hearing Damage?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does Sound Conditioning Protect Against Temporary Hearing Damage?
IRAS ID
257828
Contact name
Emily Frost
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 1 days
Research summary
Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is the most common preventable hearing loss and is second to presbycusis for the most common sensorineural hearing deficit. NIHL is caused by exposure to recreational and occupational noise and can cause a devastating disability. One of the methods to increase the resistance against NIHL is 'sound conditioning'. Animal studies have found that prior exposure to low level noise over a period of a few weeks can 'condition' the ear. This conditioning then reduces the susceptibility to high level exposure i.e. strengthening the cochlear. However, the underlying mechanisms are not yet clarified. This conditioning may be related to: increased levels of antioxidant enzymes, neurotropic factors, inhibition of apoptosis along with many other speculations. Speculation has also occurred with regards to conditioning acting systemically or locally.
Animal studies in regards to NIHL and conditioning suggest with prior exposure there is less risk than those with little exposure after experiencing one high exposure event. There are gaps however in the knowledge on the effects of conditioning in humans. A study where humans are tested prior and post a high-exposure event with varying previous noise exposure history ('conditioning') is not yet available. Where the effects on temporary threshold shift (TTS), tinnitus, sex and speech in noise factors are researched. These factors are not well investigated and understood and studies are not made readily available as of yet.
Aim: To investigate if previous sound conditioning reduces susceptibility to TTS and tinnitus when comparing to those without prior exposure.
Purpose: To increase our understanding on the effects of noise exposure.REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0986
Date of REC Opinion
8 Aug 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion