Abstract
There is an urgent need for otoprotective drug agents. Prevention of noise-induced
hearing loss continues to be a major challenge for military personnel and workers
in a variety of industries despite the requirements that at-risk individuals use hearing
protection devices such as ear plugs or ear muffs. Drug-induced hearing loss is also
a major quality-of-life issue with many patients experiencing clinically significant
hearing loss as a side effect of treatment with life-saving drug agents such as cisplatin
and aminoglycoside antibiotics. There are no pharmaceutical agents approved by the
United States Food and Drug Administration for the purpose of protecting the inner
ear against damage, and preventing associated hearing loss (otoprotection). However,
a variety of preclinical studies have suggested promise, with some supporting data
from clinical trials now being available as well. Additional research within this
promising area is urgently needed.
Keywords
otoprotection - ototoxicity - noise-induced hearing loss - drug-induced hearing loss
