Abstract
ObjectivesOccupational noise‐induced hearing loss (NIHL) due to industrial, military, and other job ‐related noise exposure can cause harmful health issues to occupied workers, but may also be potentially preventable. Vitamins/antioxidant have been studied as therapeutic strategies to prevent and/or delay the risks of human diseases as well as NIHL .So, this study was conducted to systematically review the protective effects of vitamins/antioxidants on occupational NIHL.MethodsOnline databases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were systematically searched up to 12 January 2021. Based on 6336 potentially relevant records identified through the initial search in the databases, 12 full‐text publications were retrieved, one of which can be viewed as two separate trials, because it has studied the effects of two different antioxidants (ginseng and NAC) on NIHL, separately.ResultsA review of the studies shows that vitamin B12, folic acid, and N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) have a considerable protective effect on NIHL. However, these protective effects are not yet specified in different frequencies. The findings regarding the protective effects of other antioxidants are inconsistent in this field.ConclusionVitamin B12, folic acid, and NAC may have a protective effect as an antioxidant on reducing occupational hearing loss. For a conclusive evidence of vitamin/antioxidant protective therapies, future studies with precise criteria for noise exposure and similar outcome parameters are required.
Highlights
Workers in most industries are exposed to noise pollution
Findings regarding the protective effect of vitamins E, C, and A on Noise- induced hearing loss (NIHL) are inconsistent
2- Results of subjects with NIHL were not separated from other types of hearing loss (n=1)
Summary
Workers in most industries are exposed to noise pollution. Noise as an unwanted sound can cause adverse health effects and safety risks to occupied workers. There are two types of hearing loss, known as temporary threshold shift (TTS) and permanent threshold shift (PTS).[12,13] TTS is typically caused by traumatizing stimulus spectrum, which is affected by the level and duration of exposure. It is documented that hearing loss has an adverse effect on cognitive performance, quality of life and work, physical well-being, peers and social support, social relationships, motor skills, and psychological aspects.[17,18] Based on the aforementioned issues, using effective strategies for preventing NIHL, such as reduced noise exposure through engineering and administrative control measures, training interventions, providing hearing protection devices, and vitamin/antioxidant intake, is substantial.19-21 Engineering and administrative control measures require a lot of funding for implementation and maintenance, sometimes it is not cost-effective. Providing hearing protective devices, in addition to imposing a large financial burden, may not be effective due to improper use and interference with routine work.[22]
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