Race and hearing loss

In a study about 63% of adults over 70 had hearing loss. But the same study found that being black may have a protective effect. While about 64% of whites in the study showed some hearing loss, only 43% of blacks did. Being male was also linked to an increased risk for hearing loss. Melanin (a skin pigment) in the stria vascularis, an area in the ear that contains melanin, may be protective against hearing loss.