How Antioxidants Like Hydrogen May Help Prevent Hearing Loss

Authors
Journal
Antioxidants
Year
DOI
10.3390/antiox14121397
Study Type
clinical
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Country
South Korea
Health Condition
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Body System
Auditory

TL;DR

**TL;DR:** Scientists found that harmful molecules called free radicals damage the parts of your ears that help you hear, which is why people lose hearing from loud noises, getting older, or sudden illness. The good news is that antioxidants (special substances that fight free radicals) might help prevent or treat hearing loss, but we need more research to figure out the best ways to use them.

Key Finding

Elevated reactive oxygen species and free radicals appear to contribute to the development of multiple forms of hearing loss, and antioxidant approaches including hydrogen-based therapies show promise as potential preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Summary

This review examined research on how reactive oxygen species (unstable molecules that damage cells) contribute to three common types of hearing loss: noise-induced, age-related, and sudden unexplained hearing loss. The authors found evidence that antioxidants—substances that neutralize these damaging molecules—may help prevent or treat hearing loss, and they identified hydrogen-based treatments among the strategies being studied.

Practical Takeaway

While this review identifies hydrogen-saturated saline and inhaled hydrogen gas as antioxidant approaches being studied for hearing loss, the authors emphasize that definitive conclusions cannot yet be drawn. The evidence is still preliminary, and rigorous clinical trials in humans are needed before any hearing loss treatment can be recommended. This is a literature review rather than a new study with human participants.

Abstract

Objective: Although the etiologies and pathogenesis of common hearing disorders-noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), age-related hearing loss (ARHL), and idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL)-are diverse, accumulating evidence indicates that reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to hearing loss and that antioxidants may help prevent or treat it. We conducted a literature review to examine the relationship between hearing loss and ROS/free radicals in both humans and animal models. Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar to evaluate the induction and role of ROS in the development and treatment of hearing loss. Results: We synthesized evidence across NIHL, ARHL, and ISSNHL. Factors and reactive species implicated in hearing loss included cytomegalovirus infection, genetic polymorphisms, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), NOX transgenic models (NOX-Tg), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Antioxidant strategies examined for prevention or treatment included vitamins A, C, and E with magnesium; rebamipide; α-lipoic acid; LLY-283; edaravone; melatonin; glutathione peroxidase; superoxide dismutase; glucose; hydrogen-saturated saline; activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2); inhaled hydrogen gas; and caffeic acid. Conclusions: Elevated ROS and free radicals appear to contribute to the pathogenesis of hearing loss. Although definitive conclusions cannot yet be drawn, current evidence suggests that antioxidant approaches may aid in prevention and treatment. Further studies are needed to elucidate underlying mechanisms, refine therapeutic targets and dosing, and validate efficacy in rigorously designed clinical trials.