The invention relates to methods of identifying a composition useful for the prevention or treatment of noise-induced hearing loss. The method includes exposing a mammalian test subject to a candidate composition and a calibrated sound or noise challenge. Next, a temporary threshold shift (TTS) is monitored in the test subject over a period of time. The monitored TTS is compared with a TTS of a control subject exposed to a control composition. The presence or absence is determined by clinically relevant and statistically significant differences between the monitored TTS in the test subject and the TTS of the control subject, and the presence of a statistically significant difference identifies the candidate composition as useful for prevention or treatment of noise-induced hearing loss.
