Hydrogen in drinking water attenuates noise-induced hearing loss in guinea pigs.

Abstract

This animal study examined whether prior consumption of hydrogen-rich water could reduce cochlear damage caused by intense noise exposure in guinea pigs. Animals received either hydrogen-rich water or plain water for 14 days before being subjected to 115 dB SPL octave-band noise centered at 4 kHz for 3 hours. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were measured at baseline and at multiple time points up to 14 days post-exposure. At 2 kHz and 4 kHz, ABR thresholds were significantly lower (better) in the hydrogen-water group on post-exposure days 1, 3, and 14 compared with controls. DPOAE input/output growth function amplitudes were also significantly greater in hydrogen-treated animals on days 3 and 7 of recovery. The results indicate that hydrogen-rich water intake prior to noise exposure facilitates hair cell functional recovery and reduces temporary noise-induced hearing loss.

Mechanism

Molecular hydrogen is proposed to selectively scavenge hydroxyl radicals generated during intense noise exposure, thereby reducing oxidative damage to cochlear hair cells and supporting auditory recovery.