Development of an audiological assessment and diagnostic model for high occupational noise exposure.

Abstract

To explore the diagnostic auditory indicators of high noise exposure and combine them into a diagnostic model of high noise exposure and possible development of hidden hearing loss (HHL). We recruited 101 young adult subjects and divided them according to noise exposure history into high-risk and low-risk groups. All subjects completed demographic characteristic collection (including age, noise exposure, self-reported hearing status, and headset use) and related hearing examination. The 8kHz (P = 0.039) and 10kHz (P = 0.005) distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitudes (DPOAE) (DPs) in the high-risk group were lower than those in the low-risk group. The amplitudes of the summating potential (SP) (P = 0.017) and action potential (AP) (P = 0.012) of the electrocochleography (ECochG) in the high-risk group were smaller than those in the low-risk group. The auditory brainstem response (ABR) wave III amplitude in the high-risk group was higher than that in the low-risk group. When SNR = -7.5dB (P = 0.030) and -5dB (P = 0.000), the high-risk group had a lower speech discrimination score than that of the low-risk group. The 10kHz DPOAE DP, ABR wave III amplitude and speech discrimination score under noise with SNR = -5dB were combined to construct a combination diagnostic indicator. The area under the ROC curve was 0.804 (95% CI 0.713-0.876), the sensitivity was 80.39%, and the specificity was 68.00%. We expect that high noise exposure can be detected early with this combined diagnostic indicator to prevent HHL or sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). ChiCTR2200057989, 2022/3/25.