Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare hearing performance relating to the peripheral and central auditory system between solvent-exposed and non-exposed workers. METHODS: Forty-eight workers exposed to a mixture of solvents and 48 non-exposed control subjects of matched age, gender and educational level were selected to participate in the study. The evaluation procedures included: pure-tone audiometry (500 - 8,000 Hz), to investigate the peripheral auditory system; the Random Gap Detection test, to assess the central auditory system; and the Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap, to investigate subjects' self-reported hearing performance in daily-life activities. A Student t test and analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were computed to determine possible significant differences between solvent-exposed and non-exposed subjects for the hearing level, Random Gap Detection test and Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap. Pearson correlations among the three measures were also calculated. RESULTS: Solvent-exposed subjects exhibited significantly poorer hearing thresholds for the right ear than non-exposed subjects. Also, solvent-exposed subjects exhibited poorer results for the Random Gap Detection test and self-reported poorer listening performance than non-exposed subjects. Results of the Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap were significantly correlated with the binaural average of subject pure-tone thresholds and Random Gap Detection test performance. CONCLUSIONS: Solvent exposure is associated with poorer hearing performance in daily life activities that relate to the function of the peripheral and central auditory system.
Highlights
Noise exposure may induce hearing loss and other agents such as organic solvents may be hazardous to the human auditory system
Results of the Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap were significantly correlated with the binaural average of subject pure-tone thresholds and Random Gap Detection test performance
Solvent exposure is associated with poorer hearing performance in daily life activities that relate to the function of the peripheral and central auditory system
Summary
Noise exposure may induce hearing loss and other agents such as organic solvents may be hazardous to the human auditory system. Exposure to a mixture of solvents may induce hearing loss in humans.[19] Millions of workers are exposed to solvents in their workplaces.[6]. A solvent is a liquid used to dissolve other substances. Most solvents are colorless liquids at room temperature, which volatize and have strong odors. Solvents are most commonly inhaled in their volatized form and absorbed through the respiratory tract. Organic solvents are widely used around the world and many different industrial processes require their use: in automotive and aviation fuels; plastics industries; as a thinner for paints, lacquers, coatings and dyes; in the manufacture of artificial leather, detergents, medicines, perfumes, fabric and paper coatings, photogravure inks and spray surface coatings; and in insect repellents.[7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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
