Abstract
Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is the most prevalent occupational disease in the world. The goal of this study was to review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and preventive measures of ONIHL among workers and provide evidence for the implementation of control measures. Literature studies were identified from the MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the search terms “noise-induced hearing loss” “prevalence”, “pathogenesis”, and “preventive measures”. The articles reviewed in this report were limited from 2000 to 2020. Articles that were not published in the English language, manuscripts without an abstract, and opinion articles were excluded. After a preliminary screening, all of the articles were reviewed and synthesized to provide an overview of the current status of ONIHL among workers. The mechanism of ONIHL among workers is a complex interaction between environmental and host factors (both genetic and acquired factors). The outcomes of noise exposure are different among individual subjects. Clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the treatment effect of antioxidants on ONIHL. Noise exposure may contribute to temporary or permanent threshold shifts; however, even temporary threshold shifts may predispose an individual to eventual permanent hearing loss. Noise prevention programs are an important preventive measure in reducing the morbidity of ONIHL among workers.
Highlights
Hearing loss due to noise exposure in the workplace is a significant health problem worldwide [1, 2]
Previous studies have indicated that workers employed in the construction, manufacturing, mining, agriculture, utility, and transportation, industries, military personnel, and musicians have the highest risk for Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) [7–9]
In preparing this review, we searched several online databases, including MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA), PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for relevant published papers using a combination of the following keywords “noise-induced hearing loss”, “prevalence”, “pathogenesis”, and “preventive measures”
Summary
Hearing loss due to noise exposure in the workplace is a significant health problem worldwide [1, 2]. Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is a common occupational disease. Reports have noted that copper miners experienced hearing loss due to the noise exposure from hammering on metal [3, 4]. It is estimated that 1.3 billion people suffer from hearing loss due to noise exposure [3]. Occupational noise exposure is responsible for 16% of. The impacts of occupational noise exposure cause a tremendous financial and disease burden on both individual and society. In the USA, it is estimated that the annual compensation for ONIHL is approximately $242.4 million [3, 6]. This economic burden on society is extremely high and continually increasing. Previous studies have indicated that workers employed in the construction, manufacturing, mining, agriculture, utility, and transportation, industries, military personnel, and musicians have the highest risk for ONIHL [7–9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
