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Abstract
Hearing loss is the second most common nonfatal problem affecting the Chinese population. Historical studies have suggested an association between exposure to heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead, and hearing loss. Few studies have investigated this relationship in the general population in China. We conducted a case-control study with 1008 pairs of participants from a cross-sectional epidemiological survey conducted in Zhejiang Province. A self-designed questionnaire was adopted to collect information on demographics, chronic diseases, lifestyles and environmental noise. Pure-tone averages of hearing thresholds at frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz were computed. Blood lead and cadmium levels were analyzed with an atomic absorption spectrometer. After adjusting for all other potential confounding factors, compared with the lowest blood cadmium quartile (0.00–0.53 μg/L), blood cadmium quartile 2 (0.54–0.92 μg/L), quartile 3 (0.93–1.62 μg/L) and quartile 4 (1.63–57.81 μg/L) exhibited significantly elevated risks for hearing loss, with odds ratios of 1.932 (95% CI: 1.356–2.751), 2.036 (95% CI: 1.423–2.914) and 1.495 (95% CI: 1.048–2.133), respectively (P-trend<0.001). However, an association of lead with hearing loss was not found. Young age (less than 60 years), male sex and current smoking were associated with increased blood cadmium concentration. Additionally, a positive association between blood cadmium and lead concentrations was found. Therefore, we conclude that exposure to environmental cadmium may be a risk factor for hearing loss among the general population in China.
Highlights
Hearing loss is a critical global public health issue [1]
In 2,535 American adolescents, Josef et al found that blood lead exposure was not associated with low-frequency hearing loss (0.5, 1 and 2 kHz), and the lead concentration range was within 2 μg/dL [18]
Choi et al conducted another study in American adults; the lead concentration ranged from 0.20–54.00 μg/dL, and the lead level was found to be positively associated with hearing loss [17]
Summary
Hearing loss is a critical global public health issue [1]. 5% of the adult population in the world has hearing loss, and its prevalence increases to 30% when individuals reach 65 years old [2]. Hearing loss may lead to negative consequences, such as disturbed communication, feelings of loneliness and frustration [3], reduced quality of life, and financial loss [4]. Lead and cadmium and hearing loss the Major Scientific and Technological Innovation Projects of Hangzhou 20152013A01) funded by Science and Technology Bureau of Hangzhou (http://kj.hangzhou.gov.cn/). Da-Hui Wang obtained the Program (Y201533217) funded by The Education of Zhejiang Province. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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