Protection in a Pill Coming?

There may be a way to protect against hearing damage from loud noises like concerts. A company called OtoMedicine, working scientists from the University of Michigan and the University of Florida say a combination of antioxidants appears to prevent damage in guinea pigs when given before exposure to loud noises. Researcher at Washington University got the same result in mice. The soup of nutrient supplements is a combination of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and E along with magnesium. The research is being presented this weekend at the 2009 Midwinter Meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology.