Iris Color and Hearing Loss

Abstract

This study investigated the relation between iris color and hearing loss in 261 adult textile workers exposed to either a low-noise environment (below 85 dB) or a high-noise environment (above 102 dB). The subjects included 48% white males, 28% white females, 15% black males, and 9% black females. No relation was found between iris color and hearing loss in the control or low-noise group. A significant relation between iris color and hearing loss or hearing threshold levels was found for workers in the high-noise environment. Other variables, however, were found to predict susceptibility to hearing loss better than iris color alone.