Oxidative stress: a potential basis for potentiation of noise-induced hearing loss.

In the past two decades, researchers have determined that a broad range of environmental and occupational contaminants can interact with noise to enhance noise-induced hearing loss. This manuscript focuses upon the hypothesis that chemicals that promote oxidative stress might increase the risk of noise-induced hearing loss. Evidence is presented that confirms the role of oxidative stress in the production of hearing loss by both carbon monoxide and by acrylonitrile when noise is present at the time of chemical exposure.