Abstract
Background: Ear problems, particularly hearing loss, in divers are well known and documented all over the world. Studies showed that they form the most common health problems among divers. However, it seems that this problem has never been investigated in the Iraqi divers population. Aim: This cross-sectional comparative study is an attempt aims to contribute to the better understanding of the extent and impact of the problem among the local divers and to relate certain risk factors associated with diving. Subjects & Methods: One hundred and eleven divers and 222 non-divers were interviewed regarding this problem and examined audiometerically. Results showed that 45% of the studied divers complained of some sort of ear problems. In a considerable number of them the problem is serious. Audiometerically, about 50.5% of divers have some degree of hearing loss. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of hearing loss in divers as compared to non-divers. Furthermore, hearing loss problem among divers was more severe than in nondivers and it was mostly bilateral. High frequencies are the ones affected more. The role of certain proposed risk factors was studied with few conclusive findings; these are the association between hearing loss and underwater blast, maximum depth, duration of profession and underwater diving accidents. Further studies and regular check-ups are strongly recommended.
Highlights
Diving is an occupation in which divers are exposed to physical, chemical, biological, and psychological hazards.Ear problems are the most common of all occupational diseases of diving[1], and deafness is perhaps one of the most common ear problems encountered in diving[2]
Since this study is surveying the relation between diving and hearing loss, it was obligatory to exclude those who gave a history of other risk factors that can contribute to auditory problems (18 divers)
The statistically significant difference in the percentage of presence of ear problem complaints with a diver/non diver ratio of 3.7 reflects how common ear problems among divers are, which can be attributed to the diving practice
Summary
Diving is an occupation in which divers are exposed to physical, chemical, biological, and psychological hazards. 3. Mixed or combined conductive sensorineural hearing losses result from simultaneous dysfunction in the middle and inner ears, such as that occurring in coexisting middle and inner ear barotrauma[10]. Mixed or combined conductive sensorineural hearing losses result from simultaneous dysfunction in the middle and inner ears, such as that occurring in coexisting middle and inner ear barotrauma[10] It seems that such a problem has not been investigated in the Iraqi divers population. This cross-sectional comparative study is a primary attempt to determine the extent and impact of the problem of hearing loss in Iraqi professional divers and to relate hearing loss to certain risk factors associated with diving. Subjects: The study population included 111 professional divers from the Iraqi Navy as a study group and other 222 military non-divers personnel chosen randomly from the Iraqi Navy too, as a comparative group
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