Abstract
BackgroundLiterature suggests that risk factors for middle ear pathologies, such as traumatic injuries and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), exist in mines. However, studies on hearing health in mines seem to focus primarily on occupational noise-induced hearing loss and ignore middle ear pathologies. As a result, there is little documented evidence on the trends of middle ear pathologies in mine workers.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore and document published evidence reflecting trends in middle ear pathologies in mine workers.MethodA systematic literature review of studies that reported middle ear pathologies in mine workers was conducted. Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, PsychInfo and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies in English published between January 1994 and December 2018 and reporting on trends in middle ear pathologies in mine workers.ResultsTwo research studies met the selection criteria and were included for analysis. One research study used tympanometry with 226 Hz probe tone, while another study used interviews to determine the presence of middle ear pathologies. While these studies indicate that middle ear pathologies exist in individuals working in mines, the evidence is limited.ConclusionWhile current data indicate that individuals working in mines may present with middle ear pathologies of varying severities, the evidence is too small to provide a clear trend of middle ear pathologies in individuals working in mines. Therefore, the current limited data suggest a need for further studies to examine middle ear pathologies in individuals working in mines.
Highlights
The mining industry plays an important role in the economic growth of any country, especially African countries, health hazardous conditions such as the auditory pathologies continue to be the biggest threats to this growth (Cawood, 2011)
The aim of this systematic review was to summarise evidence reflecting trends in middle ear pathologies in individuals working in mines
Mining industry Sand and gravel mines Gold mine http://www.sajcd.org.za. This is the first systematic review to look at the trends of middle ear pathologies in adults working in mines
Summary
The mining industry plays an important role in the economic growth of any country, especially African countries, health hazardous conditions such as the auditory pathologies continue to be the biggest threats to this growth (Cawood, 2011). The occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) became the central focus in the literature, with little or no focus on middle ear pathologies (Amedofu, 2002; Chadambuka, Mususa, & Muteti, 2013; Kanji, Khoza-Shanagse, & Ntlhakana, 2019; Moroe & Khoza-Shangase, 2018; Musiba, 2015). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), middle ear pathologies are amongst the most common auditory pathologies affecting over 700 million people worldwide (WHO, 2018). According to WHO (2018), over 30 million people with acute otitis media (AOM) will develop chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), of which approximately 50% will develop permanent hearing loss. Studies on hearing health in mines seem to focus primarily on occupational noise-induced hearing loss and ignore middle ear pathologies. There is little documented evidence on the trends of middle ear pathologies in mine workers
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Schedule a callMore From: The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir Kommunikasieafwykings
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