Fort Jackson, SC: Army tests drug to cut hearing loss.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

http://www.pharmacist.com/army-tests-he ... ifle-range

The above link is just a short summary of the long article which appeared in the
Wall Street Journal's August 22-23, 2015 weekend edition. It was written by
Amy Dockser Marcus. Unfortunately, I couldn't link to the whole article on WSJ.com
since I'm not a subscriber, so I will summarize the article.

The military is a very loud place to be, due to loud motor vehicles, aircraft, small arms
fire, and artillery, to name just some. The VA processes a large number of claims for
hearing impairment.

Kathleen C.M. Campbell is an audiologist and professor at the Southern Illinois University
School of Medicine. She is conducting a trial of a drug called N-acetylcysteine. She is to
enlist as many as 600 soldiers by the time the trial is completed. Consuming this drug
is thought to preserve the hearing of anyone who takes it.

The theory is that prolonged noise causes the body to produce large numbers of free radicals
that can harm tissues such as the hair cells of the inner ear.

While training, it is not uncommon for soldiers to fire 500 rounds from their M16's.
Now consider that drill sergeants have to be around for extended months while they train
their boots to shoot. That's a lot of exposure to noise.

110 decibels = someone shouting directly into your ear.
130 decibels = A jackhammer. Or a jet plane that is only 33 yards away from you.
150 decibels = Firecrackers and firearms.

Although the military does offer some ear protection, some people don't use it in order
to hear their instructions, or to better hear potential threats while on patrol.

SIA

[WildBill]

Interesting post. Apparently N-acetylcysteine is used for a variety of things: paracetamol overdose, loosening mucus in cystic fibrous and COPD patients.

It is also available over the counter as a supplement. I hope that this experiment works. I know many veterans who lost hearing functions.

[PBratton]

It sounds as if it will be trialed as a preventative measure, not restorative.

My concern with any treatment along these lines is: what other damage may be done by limiting the free radicals in the body?

[WildBill]

It sounds as if it will be trialed as a preventative measure, not restorative.

My concern with any treatment along these lines is: what other damage may be done by limiting the free radicals in the body?

Some people think that free radicals are what cause cancer and ageing and are not desirable in the body.

[ELB]

Some people think that free radicals are what cause cancer and ageing and are not desirable in the body.

This was the basis for a comical sequence when James Bond (Sean Connery IIRC) was brought back from retirement and had to undergo a training and diet regimen with a fussy, uptodate on the latest fads trainer. When Miss Moneypenny asked him what his assignment was, he whispered "eliminate all free radicals."

More seriously, would be great if it works out. Would be better if it were restorative as well as preventative, but that's a tougher nut.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

"eliminate all free radicals"....Did 007 mean the cancer-causing kind, or the political kind? :-)

SIA

[mojo84]

OCT=Free radicals

Man, I was hoping this would be a restorative treatment. Unfortunately, too many rock concerts for me and my wife in our teen years did a number on our ears. Not near as noble as military service.

[PBratton]

Huh? Didn't catch that...