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. 2021 Mar 6;12(1):24.
doi: 10.1186/s13293-021-00369-0.

Sex differences in noise-induced hearing loss: a cross-sectional study in China

Qixuan Wang #  1   2   3 , Xueling Wang #  1   2   3   4 , Lu Yang  1   2   3 , Kun Han  1   2   3 , Zhiwu Huang  5   6   7 , Hao Wu  8   9   10
Affiliations

Sex differences in noise-induced hearing loss: a cross-sectional study in China

Qixuan Wang et al. Biol Sex Differ. .

Abstract

Background: Significant sex differences exist in hearing physiology, while few human studies have investigated sex differences in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and the sex bias in previous studies resulted in inadequate female data. The study aims to investigate sex differences in the characteristics of NIHL to provide insight into sex-specific risk factors, prevention strategies and treatment for NIHL.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2280 industrial noise-exposed shipyard workers (1140 males and 1140 females matched for age, job and employment length) in China. Individual noise exposure levels were measured to calculate the cumulative noise exposure (CNE), and an audiometric test was performed by an experienced technician in a soundproof booth. Sex differences in and influencing factors of low-frequency (LFHL) and high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL) were analyzed using logistic regression models stratified by age and CNE.

Results: At comparable noise exposure levels and ages, the prevalence of HFHL was significantly higher in males (34.4%) than in females (13.8%), and males had a higher prevalence of HFHL (OR = 4.19, 95% CI 3.18 to 5.52) after adjusting for age, CNE, and other covariates. Sex differences were constant and highly remarkable among subjects aged 30 to 40 years and those with a CNE of 80 to 95 dB(A). Alcohol consumption might be a risk factor for HFHL in females (OR = 3.12, 95% CI 1.10 to 8.89).

Conclusions: This study indicates significant sex differences in NIHL. Males are at higher risk of HFHL than females despite equivalent noise exposure and age. The risk factors for NIHL might be different in males and females.

Keywords: Hearing loss; Occupational noise exposure; Sex differences.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Stratified description of audiogram characteristics between males and females. Average hearing thresholds are shown at each frequency of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz with 95% confidence intervals
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Scatter plots of mean hearing thresholds by cumulative noise exposure and age. Plots are stratified by sex, and the lines represent the trends of the linear associations
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Stratified regression analysis considering cumulative noise exposure and age. The association between sex and HFHL (a) and LFHL (b)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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