Abstract

This study aims to investigate the hearing problems experienced by nurses working in the intensive care units (ICUs) and gastroenterology departments of a hospital in China. A total of 93 participants who are currently employed in these settings were recruited for the study. The research methodology involved several components. Firstly, the pure tone audiometry (PTA) hearing threshold measurements were conducted in a closed audiometry room. The air conduction hearing and bone conduction hearing thresholds were recorded using calibrated equipment. Secondly, the participants underwent the Digits In Noise (DIN) test to assess their speech reception threshold in a noisy environment. They were instructed to wear headphones and adjust the volume to be a comfortable level while Chinese digit triplets were presented with a background masking noise. Thirdly, a questionnaire with previously validated and subjective components was also administered after the PTA and DIN tests. The survey aimed to assess self-reported auditory dysesthesia, including symptoms such as tinnitus, aural fullness, and otalgia. It was observed that ICU nurses exhibited more hearing loss at high frequencies above 4 kHz compared to non-ICU nurses. Additionally, nurses who worked more hours per week demonstrated worse hearing thresholds. Furthermore, ICU nurses reported more severe self-reported hearing problems compared with non-ICU nurses.

Full Text
Paper version not known

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 call

Disclaimer: 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.