Hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, chronic noise exposure: is there synergism in cochlear pathology?

The purpose of this research is to establish in laboratory animals whether a relationship exists among noise exposure, hypertension, and hyperlipoproteinemia. A discussion of the historical background leading to this work is presented. Previous investigations dealing with each of the three variable, noise, hypertension, and hyperlipoproteinemia, as they relate to hearing, are discussed. Methodology, including new methods developed during this study, will be presented. Results support the concept that a significant relationship does exist among noise, hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, and hearing loss.