The influence of inner ear melanin on susceptibility to TTS in humans

In order to investigate the function of the inner ear melanin, the relationship between skin pigmentation and noise-induced temporary hearing loss (TTS) was studied. Forty-four normal-hearing Caucasian subjects were divided into three groups according to their sun sensitivity. Hearing thresholds before and after exposure were ascertained with a computerized sweep frequency audiometer in the frequency range 2-8 kHz. The noise exposure consisted of a 1/3-octave band-filtered noise with a centre frequency of 2 kHz at 105 dB SPL for 10 min. The mean TTS in the frequency range 2-8 kHz showed statistically significant differences between the three groups, i.e. the most pigmented subjects developed least TTS, and the least pigmented subjects most TTS.