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Increased Risk of Sensorineural Hearing Loss as a Result of Exposure to Air Pollution

Author

Listed:
  • Kuang-Hsi Chang

    (Department of Medical Research, Tungs’ Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung 43503, Taiwan
    Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
    General Education Center, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli 35664, Taiwan
    First authors.)

  • Stella Chin-Shaw Tsai

    (Department of Otolaryngology, Tungs’ Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung 43503, Taiwan
    First authors.)

  • Chang-Yin Lee

    (College of Medicine, The School of Chinese Medicine for Post Baccalaureate, I-Shou University (Yancho Campus), Kaohsiung 84001, Taiwan
    Department of Chinese Medicine, E-DA Hospital, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan
    Department of Chinese Medicine, E-DA Cancer Hospital, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan)

  • Ruey-Hwang Chou

    (Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
    Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
    Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan)

  • Hueng-Chuen Fan

    (Department of Medical Research, Tungs’ Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung 43503, Taiwan
    Department of Pediatrics, Department of Medical Research, Tungs’ Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung 43503, Taiwan
    Department of Rehabilitation, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli 35664, Taiwan)

  • Frank Cheau-Feng Lin

    (Department of Thoracic Surgery, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan)

  • Cheng-Li Lin

    (Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan)

  • Yi-Chao Hsu

    (Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City 252, Taiwan)

Abstract

Whether exposure to air pollution is associated with developing sensorineural hearing loss (SHL) remains controversial. Using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database, we recruited a total of 75,767 subjects aged older than 20 years with no history of SHL from 1998 to 2010, and they were followed up until SHL was observed, they withdrew from the National Health Insurance program, or the study ended. The subjects were evenly exposed to low-level, mid-level, and high-level carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ). The incidence rate ratio of SHL for patients exposed to high-level CO was 1.24 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.14–1.36). The NO 2 pollutants increased the incidence rate ratios of SHL in mid-level NO 2 and high-level NO 2 exposures by 1.10 (95% CI = 1.10–1.32) and 1.36 (95% CI = 1.24–1.49) times, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio (adj. HR) of SHL in patients exposed to high-level CO was 1.45 (95% CI = 1.31–1.59), relative to that of patients exposed to low-level CO. Compared to patients exposed to low-level NO 2 , patients exposed to mid-level NO 2 (adj. HR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.27–1.54) and high-level NO 2 (adj. HR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.48–1.81) had a higher risk of developing SHL. The increased risk of SHL following the increased concentrations of air pollutants (CO and NO 2 ) was statistically significant in this study. In conclusion, the subjects’ exposure to air pollution exhibited a significantly higher risk of developing SHL in Taiwan.

Suggested Citation

  • Kuang-Hsi Chang & Stella Chin-Shaw Tsai & Chang-Yin Lee & Ruey-Hwang Chou & Hueng-Chuen Fan & Frank Cheau-Feng Lin & Cheng-Li Lin & Yi-Chao Hsu, 2020. "Increased Risk of Sensorineural Hearing Loss as a Result of Exposure to Air Pollution," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:6:p:1969-:d:333482
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Qucheng Deng & Yongping Wei & Lijuan Chen & Wei Liang & Jijun Du & Yuling Tan & Yinjun Zhao, 2019. "Relationship between Air Pollution and Regional Longevity in Guangxi, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-12, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chun-Gu Cheng & Yu-Hsuan Chen & Shang-Yih Yen & Hui-Chen Lin & Hung-Che Lin & Kuei-Ru Chou & Chun-An Cheng, 2022. "Air Pollution Exposure and the Relative Risk of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Taipei," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-11, May.

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