Antioxidant and Vasodilator Composition for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments lack effectiveness in preventing and addressing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) caused by repeated exposure to high noise levels, with existing dietary supplements showing no significant benefit and no chemical treatments available to mitigate this issue.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising biologically effective amounts of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, a vasodilator such as magnesium, and optionally withanolide or resveratrol, administered to reduce oxidative stress and promote blood flow to the inner ear, thereby reducing damage from high noise levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If repeated exposure to high noise levels occurs, then hearing loss develops, but no effective treatment currently exists

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing loss preventionVSAvoidnoise exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by administering antioxidant and vasodilator treatments before and during noise exposure to prevent oxidative stress and blood flow reduction. The composition includes vitamins A, C, and E along with magnesium sulfate, which are given prior to noise exposure to establish protective effects against the harmful oxidative stress that would otherwise cause hearing loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a composition as a mediator between noise exposure and the inner ear. This composition contains antioxidants (vitamins A, C, E) and vasodilators (magnesium sulfate) that act as protective intermediaries, reducing the direct harmful effects of noise-induced oxidative stress and improving blood flow to protect hair cells from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If antioxidant supplements are administered, then oxidative stress is reduced, but existing supplements show no significant benefit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxidative stressVSAvoidtreatment effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining multiple antioxidants (vitamins A, C, and E) with vasodilators (magnesium sulfate) into a single synergistic composition. This combination creates a multi-component treatment that addresses both oxidative stress and blood flow reduction simultaneously, achieving greater effectiveness than single-supplement approaches have demonstrated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material approach by formulating a multi-component composition that integrates different types of antioxidants and vasodilators. This composite composition works synergistically to provide comprehensive protection against noise-induced damage, combining the effects of vitamin A (retinol/retinyl palmitate), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), and magnesium sulfate in specific ratios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Use of energy by moving object

If vasodilators are administered, then blood flow to inner ear is improved, but no chemical treatments are currently available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flowVSAvoidtreatment availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If composition with multiple components is administered, then additive effect is achieved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective effectVSAvoidcomposition formulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the concentrations and ratios of individual components in the composition. Specific parameters include vitamin A (2,000-8,000 IU), vitamin C (500-2,000 mg), vitamin E (150-800 IU), and magnesium sulfate (100-350 mg) per day. These parameter optimizations ensure synergistic effects while maintaining formulation feasibility and regulatory compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition effectively reduces damage to the inner ear and prevents NIHL by providing an additive effect greater than the sum of its individual components, significantly reducing noise-induced threshold shifts and tinnitus, even at noise levels above 85 decibels.

Implementation Method 1

Noise-induced metabolic damage is typically caused from oxidative stress in the cells of the inner ear, the formation of free radicals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidative stress: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

a vasodilator comprising magnesium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVasodilation:

Data Source

PatentUS9889156B2Method for treating noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)

Publication Date: 2018.02.13 THE RGT UNIV OF MICHIGAN

AI summary

A method for treating noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) includes the step administering a composition to the mammal, wherein the composition consists essentially of a biologically effective amount of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, a vasodilator comprising magnesium, and, optionally, a withanolide, and/or resveratrol.