Hyperlipidemia in noise-induced hearing loss

Abstract

Objectives To assess the influence of hyperlipidemia on the development of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Study Design This case-control study analyzed data from the Department of Preventive Medicine at one academic medical center in southern Taiwan. Subjects and Methods We collected the laboratory data from routine health examinations administered to workers who were exposed to noise greater than 85 dBA over a one-year period. We analyzed the relationships of cholesterol and triglyceride levels with NIHL. Results A total of 4071 cases were analyzed. After adjusting for age and gender, hypertriglyceridemia was found to be related to NIHL (aOR = 1.281; 95% CI, 1.088–1.507), but hypercholesterolemia was not (aOR = 0.951; 95% CI, 0.795–1.138). Conclusions This study, one of the largest to date to study the relationship between hyperlipidemia and NIHL, found that individuals with hypertriglyceridemia are at greater risk of NIHL. On the basis of this finding, workers exposed to high noise levels should be educated on control of triglyceride levels to help reduce their risk of NIHL.