Benedict Rae T, Zarus Gregory M, Scinicariello Franco, Abadin Henry G, Attanasio Roberta
Office of Innovation and Analytics, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
Toxics. 2025 Sep 20;13(9):801. doi: 10.3390/toxics13090801.
Hearing loss (HL) causes numerous challenges for individuals. N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) is a common ingredient in insect repellants and some sunscreens. M-(diethylcarbamoyl) benzoic acid (DCBA) is a DEET metabolite measured in the urine of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants. This study examines potential associations between HL and urinary DCBA in U.S. adults. Speech-frequency hearing loss (SFHL) was defined as an average hearing threshold above 25 dB across four frequencies (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz). In comparison, high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL) was based on the average threshold above 25 dB at three higher frequencies (3, 4, and 6 kHz) in the better hearing ear. Hearing loss severity was categorized as normal (≤25 dB), mild (26-40 dB), and moderate or worse (≥41 dB). Higher DCBA exposure was significantly associated with increased odds of high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL). Participants in the highest exposure quartile had greater odds of HFHL (aOR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.14-4.81), with a dose-response trend ( < 0.05) confirmed in sensitivity analyses controlling for chronic conditions and inflammation. Multinomial models further showed elevated odds of both slight/mild (aOR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.05-4.42) and moderate/worse HFHL (aOR = 2.84; 95% CI: 1.10-7.37), supporting the robustness of the association. To our knowledge, this is the first report of HL being associated with a DEET metabolite in a nationally representative cross-sectional sample.
听力损失（HL）给个人带来了诸多挑战。N，N - 二乙基间甲苯酰胺（避蚊胺，DEET）是驱虫剂和一些防晒霜中的常见成分。M - （二乙氨基甲酰基）苯甲酸（DCBA）是在国家健康与营养检查调查参与者尿液中检测到的避蚊胺代谢物。本研究调查了美国成年人中HL与尿中DCBA之间的潜在关联。言语频率听力损失（SFHL）定义为四个频率（0.5、1、2和4 kHz）的平均听力阈值高于25 dB。相比之下，高频听力损失（HFHL）基于较好听力耳中三个较高频率（3、4和6 kHz）的平均阈值高于25 dB。听力损失严重程度分为正常（≤25 dB）、轻度（26 - 40 dB）和中度及以上（≥41 dB）。较高的DCBA暴露与高频听力损失（HFHL）几率增加显著相关。处于最高暴露四分位数的参与者发生HFHL的几率更高（调整后比值比[aOR]=2.34；95%置信区间[CI]：1.14 - 4.81），在控制慢性病和炎症的敏感性分析中确认了剂量反应趋势（P<0.05）。多项模型进一步显示，轻度/轻微HFHL（aOR = 2.15；95% CI：1.05 - 4.42）和中度/重度HFHL（aOR = 2.84；95% CI：1.10 - 7.37）的几率均升高，支持了这种关联的稳健性。据我们所知，这是在全国代表性横断面样本中首次报道HL与避蚊胺代谢物相关。
