Eye color may be an
indicator of inner ear
melanin content and has been associated with
hearing loss. There is controversy as to whether eye color has an effect on acquired causes of
sensorineural hearing loss. This review was conducted to analyze the literature evaluating the relationship between eye color and causes of
sensorineural hearing loss. Six databases were searched to identify eligible studies. Included articles were independently assessed for quality by two authors. Eighteen articles were eligible for review. Eye color was not found to have an effect in the non-exposed population or in
presbycusis. In noise-induced
sensorineural hearing loss, light-eyed patients had more significant loss following noise exposure, although the variability reported due to eye color was modest (r(2) = 0.01-0.14). Two out of three studies reported that dark eye color is associated with
cisplatin ototoxicity. In one study, green-eyed patients were found to be at higher risk of radiation-induced
hearing loss. Eye color does not appear to play a role in
hearing loss in non-exposed individuals or
presbycusis. It is possible that dark-eyed individuals, with greater inner ear
melanin content, are better protected against
noise-induced hearing loss. Evidence suggests that
melanin can be protective against radiation-induced
sensorineural hearing loss, but may predispose individuals to
cisplatin ototoxicity. Future studies are required to support these conclusions.