Abstract
Abstract Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most common chronic health problems, which produces gradual progressive impairment and disturbs the patient’s quality of life. Industries in general and especially textile ones produce noise levels that, if intensified, can cause damage to worker’s hearing. Hence, premature hearing loss is a well-known outcome of noise exposure at work in industrial workers. The aim of the study was to assess hearing threshold levels among exposed patients and to compare them with the nonexposed control group and to evaluate other variables such as outer hair cell and medial olivocochlear bundle function represented with transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) testing with and without suppression and to find the relationship with duration of exposure if any. The study included 145 patients and same number of controls who were exposed to hazardous levels of noise for variable durations. All participants were subjected to audiological examination including basic audiological evaluation, otoacoustic emissions, and otoacoustic emissions with contralateral suppression (CAS). Of the 145 patients (290 ears), 214 ears showed sensorineural hearing loss (73.8%). Sensorineural hearing loss was mild in 63 (43.44%) ears, moderate in 82 (56.55%) ears, and severe in 69 (47.58%) ears. TEOAEs were found in those with mild hearing loss with significantly lower amplitudes. Intact suppression (CAS) was significantly lower for the study group than for the control group. However, there was no significant difference in level of suppression for different duration of exposure. A high incidence for NIHL is present among workers in textile factories, which indicate the mandatory use of different protective measures. CAS can be used as a predictor for the susceptibility to NIHL.
Highlights
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most common chronic health problems, which produces gradual progressive impairment and disturbs the patient’s quality of life
About 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise, with an additional nine million exposed to solvents and metals that put them at risk for hearing loss (HL)
This study was designed to assess hearing threshold levels among exposed patients and to compare them with the nonexposed control group and to evaluate other variables such as outer hair cell and medial olivocochlear bundle function in this vulnerable group. Patients and methods This was a case–control study conducted among workers of Zefta textile factory and among normal persons of the official clerks of Zagazig University of Medicine and relatives of the patients after their consent
Summary
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most common chronic health problems, which produces gradual progressive impairment and disturbs the patient’s quality of life. Premature hearing loss is a well-known outcome of noise exposure at work in industrial workers. Patients and methods The study included 145 patients and same number of controls who were exposed to hazardous levels of noise for variable durations. By the age of 60 years, this number goes up to 70% [1] This problem is faced by a large sector of the working force; worldwide, about 16% of the disabling HL in adults (over four millions) results from occupational noise [2]. HL due to chronic noise exposure or noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has been associated with industry for many years [3]. Most of the western countries have their own regulations and rules for the protection of workers in noise-producing factories [4]
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