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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00808470

Micronutrients to Prevent Noise-induced Hearing Loss

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a significant clinical, social, and economic issue. Studies in animals have allowed us to identify mechanisms contributing to NIHL, including direct mechanical trauma, free radicals formed in association with metabolic stress, and reduced blood flow. A combination of antioxidant vitamins (beta-carotene, and vitamins C and E) and the mineral magnesium (which acts in part as a vasodilator but also as an antioxidant) is highly effective in preventing NIHL in animals. These studies evaluate efficacy of this intervention in humans.

Hypothesis: Treatment with these micronutrients provides safe, effective attenuation of acute hearing changes induced by exposure to real-world sounds producing temporary (non-permanent) or permanent hearing changes induced by exposure to real-world sounds.

Experiment 1: "Digital Audio Player" studies (University of Florida, Gainesville). Prevention of *temporary* elevations in hearing thresholds, induced by exposure to moderately loud music, will be measured. Subjects will be 70 young adults with equal numbers of male and female participants.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida, 32610, United States

About this study

This study assessed the potential for prevention of the temporary changes in hearing that can occur after use of a music player device for 4 hours. All participants listened to one of two playlists (pop or rock) set at the same volumes to provide equivalent and consistent exposures across participants. Participants received either a dietary supplement or a placebo once/daily for three days prior to the day of music exposure, and also on the day of music exposure. The fourth and final dose was consumed immediately prior to music listening and consumption was observed by a member of the study team. Changes in hearing were assessed 15-min post-music, and then 1, 2, and 3 hours later, as well as the following day and 1 week later.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Hearing inclusion criteria are as follows for all studies:

  • subjects must have a normal audiologic assessment at baseline consisting of:
  • symmetric hearing with air conduction thresholds no worse than 25 dB HL at tested frequencies between .25 - 8 kHz;
  • no significant threshold asymmetry (i.e., greater than 15 dB) between the ears at any test frequency;
  • no significant air-bone gaps (i.e., greater than 10 dB); and
  • Type A tympanograms bilaterally, defined as a range of -140 to +40 daPa based on the 90% range for adults (Margolis & Hunter 2000).

Additional criteria are as follows:

  • No history of ear disease, able to provide informed consent, agree to follow study procedures, normal health screening at study entry

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnant or trying to become pregnant within study period (females)
  • subjects belonging to vulnerable populations
  • subjects with any history of chronic disease
  • hearing loss that exceeds limits specified above
  • inability or failure to provide informed consent
  • medical conditions that require treatment with drugs including anticoagulants
  • diuretics
  • digoxin
  • aspirin/salicylate
  • barbiturates
  • minocycline

Treatment and study plan

beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, magnesium

Drug

6 mint-flavored tablets per day, taken once daily

total daily dose label claim: micronutrient combination of 500 mg vitamin C (magnesium ascorbate), 315 mg magnesium (magnesium citrate, magnesium ascorbate, magnesium stearate), 267 mg vitamin E (d-α-tocopherol acetate), and 18 mg beta carotene.

Other names: Soundbites®

Placebo

Other

6 mint-flavored tablets per day, containing inactive substances including mannitol, peppermint flavor, sucralose, color prep, iron oxide yellow synthetic, stearic acid (vegetable grade), and silicon dioxide colloidal.

Primary outcomes

  1. Average Threshold Shift at 4 kHz in Both Ears

    Time frame: 15 min, 1 hr intervals for 3 hours to measure temporary changes; additional tests at 1 day and 1 week post-exposure.

    The study measures the quietest decibel level the participants can hear before the 4 hour music exposure The first post-music test to measure shift is 15 minutes after the music exposure is completed and again at 1 hour intervals. The shift represents the mean change in quietest decibel volume detected between baseline (pre-music) and post music.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Threshold Shift at Individual Frequencies, Including 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6, and 8 kHz, 15 Min Post-music

    Time frame: 15 min

    The study measures the quietest decibel level the participants can hear before the 4 hour music exposure The first post-music test to measure shift is 15 minutes after the music exposure is completed and again at 1 hour intervals. The shift represents the mean change in quietest decibel volume detected between baseline (pre-music) and post music.

  2. Tinnitus

    Time frame: immediate, repeated measures at 1 hr intervals for 3 hours to measure temporary changes; additional tests at 1 day and 1 week post-exposure.

    Presence of tinnitus was assessed using yes/no question. If tinnitus was reported, perception was assessed using survey.

Other outcomes

  1. Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE) Amplitude - f1+3328 HZ, F2+ 3984 Hz; 30 Minutes

    Time frame: 15 min

    DPOAE amplitude was measured following the audiometric testing completion at approximately 30 minutes post music. Test time was approximate as DPOAE tests began as soon as threshold testing was completed. F1 and F2 frequency pairs included 3328 and 3984 Hz, F1 sound levels started at 65 dB SPL at each frequency, and decreased in 5 dB steps to a level of 25 dB SPL. F2 levels were 10 dB lower than F1 levels. Threshold tests began precisely at 15 min, 1 hr 15 min, 2 hr 15 min, 3 hr 15 min. Threshold tests take approximately 15 min, but the exact duration of testing varies from subject to subject. The OAE testing began as soon as threshold testing completed. Thus, OAE tests began approx. 30 min, 1 hr 30 min, 2 hr 30 min, and 3 hr 30 min post music, but for some it may have been a little bit earlier or a little bit later (i.e., the test may have begun as early as 25 min or as late as 35 min post music, depending on how quickly the subject completed threshold testing).

  2. Threshold Shift at Individual Frequencies, Including 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, kHz

    Time frame: repeated measures at 1 hr intervals for 3 hours to measure temporary changes; additional tests at 1 day and 1 week post-exposure.

  3. Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE) Amplitude - Additional Time Measures

    Time frame: repeated measures at 1 hr intervals for 3 hours to measure temporary changes; additional tests at 1 day and 1 week post-exposure.

    DPOAE amplitude was measured following the audiometric testing completion at each of the post-music test times. F1 and F2 frequency pairs included 6656 and 8015 Hz, 5016 and 6000 Hz, 3328 and 3984 Hz, 2484 and 3000 Hz, and 1687 and 2015 Hz. F1 sound levels started at 65 dB SPL at each frequency, and decreased in 5 dB steps to a level of 25 dB SPL. F2 levels were 10 dB lower than F1 levels.

  4. Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE) Amplitude - Additional Pairs

    Time frame: 15 minutes

    Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE) Amplitude was measured following the audiometric testing completion at approximately 30 minutes post music. F1 and F2 frequency pairs included 6656 and 8015 Hz, 5016 and 6000 Hz, 2484 and 3000 Hz, and 1687 and 2015 Hz. F1 sound levels started at 65 dB SPL at each frequency, and decreased in 5 dB steps to a level of 25 dB SPL. F2 levels were 10dB lower than F1 Levels. Threshold tests began precisely at 15 min, 1 hr 15 min, 2 hr 15 min, 3 hr 15 min. The OAE testing began as soon as threshold testing completed. Threshold tests take approximately 15 min, but the exact duration of testing varies among subjects. Thus, OAE tests began approx. 30 min, 1 hr 30 min, 2 hr 30 min, and 3 hr 30 min post music, but for some it may have been a little bit earlier than for others (i.e., the test may have begun as early as 25 min or as late as 35 min post music, depending on how quickly the subject completed threshold testing).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Michigan

Other

Collaborators

  • Hearing Health Science, Inc.
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
  • Southern Illinois University
  • University of Florida

Registry information

Official study title

Micronutrient Intervention to Reduce Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Prevention of Temporary Threshold Changes Induced by Use of a Digital Music Player

Important dates

Study start
2008
Primary completion
2013
Study completion
2013
First posted
Dec 15, 2008
Registry last updated
May 19, 2017

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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