We are excited to have you join us for an amazing educational line up, check out the agenda below for the 2025 Conference. Please note that this agenda is subject to change.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of noise exposure history on the rate of pure-tone threshold change per year. Methods: Participants were 1,347 adults (mean age 63.4 [SD 14.3], follow-up time 5.1 [SD 5.7] years, 57.3% female, 17.6% racial Minority) from a longitudinal cohort study. Noise exposure history, determined via self-report and military history, was categorized as no/little, some, or high exposure. Outcome measures were audiometric thresholds (0.25-8.0 kHz) and pure-tone average (PTA [0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 kHz]), averaged bilaterally. Linear mixed regression models were used to estimate the effect of age (per +1 year) on the rate of threshold and PTA change. Results: Participants with more noise exposure had poorer baseline thresholds at most frequencies 1.0-8.0 kHz and PTA. Those with high noise exposure (vs no/little) showed higher rates of threshold change per year at 1.0 and 2.0 kHz. Those with some and high noise exposure showed lower rates of change per year at 3.0-8.0 kHz and 4.0-8.0 kHz, respectively, where hearing loss had already occurred. Conclusions: Noise exposure was associated with poorer baseline hearing, and higher rates of annual decline at some mid frequencies. Noise exposure can have immediate and potentially long-term negative impacts on hearing.
