Researchers have found a way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss in the environment of a lab, and this could allow them to create a pill that would do the same job for noise-induced and even age-related hearing loss in humans.
In the first study, scientists from University of Michigan gave a pill containing beta-carotene, vitamin C and the mineral magnesium to guinea pigs before exposing them to similar levels of noise that you would hear at a loud gig (around 110 decibels). The pills prevent both temporary and permanent noise-related hearing loss in the guinea pigs when they were given four hours prior to the exposure to the noise.
In the second study, a team of researchers looked at guinea pigs a second time. This time they established that the combination of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and magnesium prevented hearing loss that happens in humans from a single loud noise.
Follow up studies on humans include testing the pill on students who listen to MP3 players, factory workers from loud environments and former military troops. The pleasing results show that the concept is comparable in guinea pigs and humans.
It is only a fairly recent innovation that it was realised that nutrients could alter the effect of loud noises on the ear drum – it had previously been thought that physical ear protection was the only option to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.