Researchers led by Rick A. Friedman, M.D. Ph.D., professor of otolaryngology and neurosurgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, used 64 of the 100 strains of mice in the Hybrid Mouse Diversity panel, enabling the team to increase the statistical power of its analysis.
Previous studies that looked at gene association for noise-induced hearing loss in people were small in size and their results were not replicated.
"Understanding the biological processes that affect susceptibility to hearing loss due to loud noise exposure is an important factor in reducing the risk," Friedman said in a statement. "We have made great advances in hearing restoration, but nothing can compare to protecting the hearing you have and preventing hearing loss in the first place."
While more research must be done before any clinical recommendations can be made, study authors said those who might be more genetically vulnerable to this type of hearing loss may want to take extra precautions before being exposed to harmful noises.
Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common work-related illnesses in the US, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Approximately 26 million, or 17 percent of adults aged 20 to 69 years, have suffered permanent hearing damage from excessive exposure to noise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.