GAINESVILLE, Fla., Feb 20, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Vitamin supplements can
prevent hearing loss in laboratory animals, University of Florida researchers
said.
The supplements used in the research are composed of antioxidants -- beta
carotene and vitamins C and E -- and the mineral magnesium, senior author
Colleen Le Prell of the University of Florida said.
When administered prior to exposure to loud noise, the supplements prevented
both temporary and permanent hearing loss in test animals, the study said.
"What is appealing about this vitamin 'cocktail' is that previous studies in
humans, including those demonstrating successful use of these supplements in
protecting eye health, have shown that supplements of these particular vitamins
are safe for long-term use," Le Prell said in a statement.
In one study, researchers gave guinea pigs the vitamin supplements prior to a
four-hour exposure to noise at 110 decibels, similar to levels reached at a loud
concert.
University of Florida, University of Michigan and OtoMedicine scientists
assessed the animals' hearing by measuring sound-evoked neural activity and
found that the treatment successfully prevented temporary hearing loss in the
animals.
Repeated temporary hearing loss can lead to permanent hearing loss, and the
scientists speculate that prevention of temporary changes may ultimately prevent
permanent changes.
The findings were reported at the Association for Research in Otolaryngology's
annual conference in Baltimore.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International