Efficacy of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in protecting ears exposed to loud music.
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| Abstract |
Antioxidants have been reported to be effective in reducing acoustic trauma in animal models but have not been studied in humans. In this study, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was evaluated to determine if it would reduce temporary changes in auditory function as a result of exposure to loud music in humans. Pure-tone thresholds and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were collected in 31 normal-hearing participants, using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, before and after two hours of live music in a nightclub. Using repeated measures analysis of variance, no statistically significant differences were found between participants who received NAC versus a placebo for any of the outcome measures. Across all subjects, the largest pure-tone threshold shift occurred at 4 kHz. DPOAE measures were characterized by reductions in amplitude and a trend for shorter group delay values. When the 3 and 4 kHz data were examined by imposing specific criteria of greater than 2 dB DPOAE amplitude reductions and 10 dB or greater pure-tone threshold shifts, DPOAE reductions occurred more often at 3 kHz, and pure-tone shifts occurred more often at 4 kHz.
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| Authors | Steven Kramer, Laura Dreisbach, Jill Lockwood, Kristy Baldwin, Richard Kopke, Shawn Scranton, Michael O'Leary |
| Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Audiology (J Am Acad Audiol) Vol. 17 Issue 4 Pg. 265-78 (Apr 2006) ISSN: 1050-0545 [Print] United States |
| PMID | 16761701 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial) |
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