Assessment of the effect of a health-improving program to preserve the professional suitability of employees at a gas transportation enterprise in territories equated to the Far North

Abstract

Introduction. At the Russian gas transportation enterprises, we traditionally consider a noise as the main harmful production factor. Long-term work activity under its influence is associated with the risk of developing sensorineural hearing loss, which, with progression, entails loss of professional suitability. Risk factors for the development of sensorineural hearing loss at an enterprise of this profile operating in territories equated to the Far North are also arterial hypertension and an increase in total cholesterol. In such a situation, the prevention of hearing loss, adapted to the specifics of the work of the leading professional groups of the gas transportation enterprise, is of particular importance. In connection with these circumstances, the researchers developed and tested a comprehensive program for the prevention of the development and progression of sensorineural hearing loss, which contributed to the correction of risk factors.
 The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the long-term implementation of a comprehensive medical program for the prevention of the development and progression of chronic sensorineural hearing loss, correction of arterial hypertension and total cholesterol levels in employees of the main production of a gas transportation enterprise operating in conditions equated to the Far North.
 Materials and methods. Over a 10-year period, we have tracked the dynamics of the health status of 120 employees of the main production, whose work activities took place under the influence of industrial noise with an intensity from 50 to 94 dBA during a comprehensive program of medical prevention of the development and progression of sensorineural hearing loss. Preventive measures consisted of: a course of drug therapy, physiotherapy procedures with the use of transcranial electrical stimulation, rational nutrition, phytotherapy, physical therapy, classes in the format of a "Healthy lifestyle School" in order to form the patient's motivation to lead a healthy lifestyle.
 Results. Out of 96 workers with normal hearing, six people (6.25%) had hearing loss up to the first degree, which does not yet entail loss of professional suitability. Among 24 specialists with initially reduced hearing (from signs of noise exposure to hearing loss by second degree), the audiogram did not change in 3 people, in 15 people specialists observed improvement within one degree, in 6 people — progression in the same dimension. The proportion of patients with arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolemia did not change significantly, but we observed a significant decrease in the proportion of obese patients.
 Conclusion. Thus, we have shown the possibility of preventing the persistent loss of professional of workers caused by the development of sensorineural hearing loss in the degree from moderate to higher.
 Limitations. At enterprises operating in other climatic zones and using less noise-hazardous equipment, other results may be obtained.