Noise-induced hearing loss is defined as a sensorineural hearing loss resulting from exposure to high-intensity noise that produces irreversible cochlear damage, presenting as either temporary or permanent threshold shift [4]. Within the Brazilian surveillance context, it is recorded in the SINAN system as an occupational health concept for noise-induced hearing loss [3]. It is recognized as a leading contributor to worldwide hearing impairment, with noise accounting for roughly one-third of all hearing loss [5].
Disease overview
Other Evidence-backed information EN 1/6 applicable sections · ZH 1/6 applicable sections Updated Oct 23, 2026
Noise-induced hearing loss is a sensorineural hearing impairment caused by high-intensity noise exposure and is the second most common form after age-related loss, affecting about 5% of the global population [1]. Occupational noise contributes to between 7% and 21% of hearing loss among workers, with higher proportions in developing countries [2]. In Brazil, the condition is formally registered within the SINAN national notification and investigation system as an occupational health entity [3].
Read the full clinical and epidemiological profile 2
- 1 Natarajan N et al. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. J Clin Med. 2023 Mar 17. PMID: 36983347. doi: 10.3390/jcm12062347. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36983347/
- 2 Lie A et al. Occupational noise exposure and hearing: a systematic review. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2016 Apr. PMID: 26249711. doi: 10.1007/s00420-015-1083-5. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26249711/
- 3 Brazil Ministry of Health SINAN. SINAN registry entity: Noise-induced hearing loss [Internet]. cited 23 Oct 2026. Available from: https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/composicao/svsa/sistemas-de-informacao/sinan
- 4 Kitama T et al. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Overview and Future Prospects for Research on Oxidative Stress. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 May 21. PMID: 40430068. doi: 10.3390/ijms26104927. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40430068/
- 5 Xu K et al. Intrinsic mechanism and pharmacologic treatments of noise-induced hearing loss. Theranostics. 2023. PMID: 37441605. doi: 10.7150/thno.83383. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37441605/
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