CIENCIAMATRIA · Oct 15, 2026
Noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss: a silent and preventable epidemic
By Venegas-Grijalva MA, Marge-Barrera AA, Tulcán-Pachacama PR et al.
Noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss is the second cause of sensorineural hearing loss after presbycusis and an irreversible yet preventable condition. The study therefore aimed to analyse the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss, with emphasis on Ecuador and Latin America. A systematised literature review was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, with a sample of 20 studies published between 2020 and 2025. Damage involves oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, mechanical injury and cochlear synaptopathy, with a characteristic audiometric notch at 4000 Hz and hidden hearing loss not detected by pure-tone audiometry. It was concluded that prevention through engineering controls, extended audiometric surveillance and regulation of recreational exposure is the only effective strategy.