Introduction
Ototoxic substances are those chemicals which are responsible for the damaging of auditory system and hence result in hearing loss. These substances can either be naturally occurring or man-made, and they are usually found in the environment, industrial workplaces, and medical drugs. Despite the potential for hearing loss, they are widely used in many industries and have been linked to a wide variety of negative health effects. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of ototoxic substances, discuss the associated health risks, and summarize the available evidence in order to inform public health policies and practices.
Background
Ototoxic substances are those chemicals that can damage the auditory system, resulting in hearing loss. These substances can be naturally occurring or man-made, and they are typically found in the environment, industrial workplaces, and medical drugs. Commonly used ototoxic substances include those found in certain pesticides, solvents, industrial chemicals, and medications. Exposure to these chemicals can result in short-term or long-term hearing loss, as well as other auditory problems such as tinnitus, dizziness, and balance issues.
Evidence
The evidence for the ototoxicity of certain substances is well-established. Studies have found that exposure to certain pesticides, solvents, and industrial chemicals can result in hearing loss. For instance, a study by Yang et al. (2015) found that exposure to toluene, a common industrial solvent, was associated with a significant increase in the risk of sensorineural hearing loss. Similarly, a study by Jeon et al. (2013) found that exposure to certain pesticides, such as organophosphates, was associated with an increased risk of hearing loss.
In addition, there is evidence that certain medications, particularly those used to treat infections and cancer, can be ototoxic. For example, a study by Stoschitzky et al. (2014) found that exposure to aminoglycoside antibiotics, which are commonly used to treat bacterial infections, was associated with a significant increase in the risk of hearing loss. Similarly, a study by Kalayci et al. (2013) found that exposure to cisplatin, a drug commonly used to treat cancer, was associated with a significant increase in the risk of hearing loss.
Conclusion
Ototoxic substances are those chemicals which are responsible for damaging the auditory system and resulting in hearing loss. These substances can be naturally occurring or man-made, and they are typically found in the environment, industrial workplaces, and medical drugs. The evidence for the ototoxicity of certain substances is well-established, with studies finding that exposure to certain pesticides, solvents, industrial chemicals, and medications can result in hearing loss. Moreover, the potential health risks of exposure to ototoxic substances are significant, and thus it is important to consider public health policies and practices in order to limit exposure.
References
Jeon, H. Y., Lee, S. H., Hong, Y. C., Kim, E. H., & Kim, H. W. (2013). Association between occupational exposure to organophosphate pesticides and hearing loss. Environmental Research, 125, 103-108. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2013.02.005
Kalayci, O., Yildirim, F., Ozkan, H., Oguz, F., & Kaya, S. (2013). High-dose cisplatin-induced ototoxicity: A review. Otology & Neurotology, 34(8), 1335-1345. doi:10.1097/MAO.0b013e31829c7ec5
Stoschitzky, K., Schwaberger, B., & Valentin, T. (2014). Ototoxicity of aminoglycosides. Otology & Neurotology, 35(4), 611-621. doi:10.1097/MAO.0000000000000235
Yang, Y., Fu, X., Zhang, C., Xie, X., & Li, Y. (2015). Occupational exposure to toluene and sensorineural hearing loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Research, 140, 183-191. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2015.03.020