The association of bisphenol A and paraben exposure with sensorineural hearing loss in children
Chia-Huang Chang1, Chun-Ting Lu2, Tai-Ling Chen3
1School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. koko826@tmu.edu.tw.
Insights
Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) and parabens (PBs) is linked to sensorineural hearing loss in children. Higher BPA levels correlated with hearing loss, and ethyl paraben (EP) exposure increased the risk of slight hearing impairment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Audiology
Background:
- Bisphenol A (BPA) and parabens (PBs) are common chemicals in personal care products.
- Hearing is crucial for early childhood development, impacting speech, language, and learning.
- BPA and PBs have demonstrated neurotoxicity and oxidative stress, with BPA potentially acting as an ototoxicant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) and parabens (PBs) and sensorineural hearing loss in children.
- To determine if urinary concentrations of BPA and PBs correlate with hearing impairment in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 320 children aged 6-12 years.
- Analysis of urinary BPA and paraben concentrations using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
- Logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between chemical exposure and sensorineural hearing loss.
Main Results:
- Children with sensorineural hearing loss exhibited significantly higher urinary BPA concentrations compared to normal-hearing children (0.22 ng/ml vs. 0.10 ng/ml, p=0.05).
- Increased BPA levels (1 log10) were associated with a 1.83-fold increased risk of middle-frequency hearing loss.
- A tenfold increase in ethyl paraben (EP) concentration was linked to a 2.24-fold higher risk of slight hearing loss.
Conclusions:
- This study suggests a significant role for Bisphenol A (BPA) and paraben (PB) exposure in the development of hearing loss among children.
- Findings highlight the potential ototoxic effects of common environmental chemicals.
- Further research with cohort designs and nationwide studies is recommended to establish causality.
Abstract:
Bisphenol A (BPA) and parabens (PBs) are chemicals that are extensively used in personal care products (PCPs). In early childhood development, hearing is critical to speech and language development, communication, and learning. In vitro and in vivo, BPA/PBs exhibited neurotoxicity through elevated levels of oxidative stress. BPA also has the potential to be an ototoxicant. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association of exposure to BPA/PBs with sensorineural hearing loss in children. A cross-sectional study based on hearing tests was conducted. This study enrolled 320 children aged 6-12 years from elementary school. Urinary BPA and PB concentrations were analyzed by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Logistic regression models were employed to determine the association of BPA/PB exposure with sensorineural hearing loss. Children with sensorineural hearing loss had higher BPA concentrations than normal-hearing children (0.22 ng/ml vs. 0.10 ng/ml, p = 0.05). After adjustment for covariates, the risk of hearing loss at middle frequencies reached 1.83-fold (95% CI: 1.12-2.99) when BPA concentrations increased by 1 log10. The risk of slight hearing loss reached 2.24-fold (95% CI: 1.05-4.78) when children had a tenfold increase in ethyl paraben (EP) concentration. This study clarifies the role of exposure to BPA/PBs in hearing loss in children. Future research needs to be expanded to include cohort designs and nationwide studies to identify causality.
