Abstract
Work-related noise exposure is one of the major factors contributing to the development of adult-onset hearing loss and tinnitus. The aim of this study was to analyze, in patients with chronic tinnitus and long-term occupational noise exposure, (A) characteristics of hearing loss, tinnitus, comorbidities, demographic characteristics and a history of work-related noise exposure and (B) differences among individuals employed in occupations with high and low risk of developing work-related noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). One hundred thirty six patients with chronic tinnitus and at least a 10 year-long working history were divided into two groups based on the risk of their profession to induce NIHL. Individuals employed in jobs at high risk for NIHL were mostly males and exhibited a poorer hearing threshold, more evident in the left ear. Tinnitus was mostly bilateral; the next largest presentation was left-sided; patients described their tinnitus as buzzing or high-pitched. Correlation between age, length of tinnitus and worse hearing was found. Patients with a higher degree of hearing impairment were mostly males and were more likely to have a family history of hearing loss and at least one cardiovascular comorbidity. Our study shows some differences in individuals with tinnitus and a history of a profession associated with increased exposure to NIHL compared to those without such a history.
Highlights
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), commonly defined as a hearing threshold worse than 25 dBHL at the high-frequency range [1], is a major cause of hearing impairment
The aim of this study was to analyze in a cohort of individuals with chronic tinnitus (A) the characteristics of hearing loss, tinnitus, comorbidities, demographic variables and a history of work-related noise exposure and (B) differences among individuals employed in occupations with high and low risk of developing work-related noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)
Patients were divided into two groups: patients with tinnitus and a history of employment in one of the professions associated with an increased exposure to occupationally-acquired noise-induced hearing loss (HIGH-RISK, n = 68) and patients with tinnitus and a history of employment in industries and occupations reported to have lower risks for hearing impairment (LOW-RISK, n = 68)
Summary
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), commonly defined as a hearing threshold worse than 25 dB. HL at the high-frequency range [1], is a major cause of hearing impairment. Workplace noise exposure is an important risk factor of NIHL in workers; 16% of disabling adult-onset hearing loss worldwide is attributed to occupational noise [2,3]. NIHL is the most frequent work-related disorder in the United States [4,5]. Chronic exposure to loud noise induces a progressive destruction of inner and outer hair cells in the organ of Corti and alterations to the stria vascularis and spiral ganglion neurons. Res. Public Health 2017, 14, 1035; doi:10.3390/ijerph14091035 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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