Occupational Hearing Loss Research Articles

Prevention and Management Intervention (PMI) of Occupational Ototoxic Exposure in Industrial Perspective Globally: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated an increasing number of occupational hearing loss. In Malaysia, there is high pervasiveness of hearing loss and hearing impairment among manufacturing workers. Ototoxicity Prevention and Management Intervention (PMI) is not yet established in the majority of countries, including Malaysia. This work aims to investigate the ototoxicity PMI from international guidelines and global reports. Method: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 flow diagram was adopted for item selection. Two large data sets were used: (1) published, peer-reviewed articles obtained through two search strategies (PubMed and Web of Science); and (2) grey literature. Results: Sixteen items were identified and were categorised into a triad of approaches; exposure-based, knowledge-based, and clinical-based approaches. Conclusion: The way forward rises from this study suggested that an effective ototoxicity PMI is needed in occupational settings where ototoxic chemical (ototoxicants) exposure occurs. Therefore, more efforts should be geared toward ototoxicity PMI especially in developing countries.

Prospective measurements of hearing threshold during military rifle training with in-ear, protected, noise exposure monitoring.

Although a causal relationship exists between military occupational noise exposure and hearing loss, researchers have struggled to identify and/or characterize specific operational noise exposures that produce measurable changes in hearing function shortly following an exposure. Growing evidence suggests that current standards for noise-exposure limits are not good predictors of true hearing damage. In this study, the aim was to capture the dose-response relationship during military rifle training exercises for noise exposure and hearing threshold. To capture exposure, a wearable system capable of measuring impulse noise simultaneously on-body and in-ear, behind hearing protection was used. To characterize hearing threshold changes, portable audiometry was employed within 2 h before and after exposure. The median 8-h time-weighted, protected, free-field equivalent in-ear exposure was 87.5 dBA at one site and 80.7 dBA at a second site. A significant dose-response correlation between in-ear noise exposure and postexposure hearing threshold changes across our population ( R = 0.40 , p = 0.0281) was observed. The results demonstrate an approach for establishing damage risk criteria (DRC) for in-ear, protected measurements based on hearing threshold changes. While an in-ear DRC does not currently exist, it may be critical for predicting the risk of injury for noise environments where protection is mandatory and fit status can vary.

On the issue of taking into account new factors in the pathogenesis of occupational hearing loss (on the example of transport workers)

Introduction. In the period from 2013 to 2021, industrial enterprises saw a reduction in jobs that did not meet sanitary and hygienic requirements for the level of exposure to noise, vibration, illumination, microclimate parameters and electromagnetic fields on the workers' bodies. However, the proportion of unfavorable workplaces that do not meet the standards for noise levels remains the largest, which determines the peculiarities of the structure of the occupational pathology of workers in the Russian Federation: professional pathology of the hearing organ - professional sensorineural hearing loss - remains in the first place. The transport industry is among the sectors of the economy with the most significant indicators of occupational diseases exceeding the average Russian indicator. The study aims to analyze additional causes of pathogenetic significance in the development of professional hearing loss using the example of employees of the driving professions of railway transport and flight professions of civil aviation aircraft. Materials and methods. We have analyzed the state of the auditory function in members of locomotive crews of JSC Russian Railways for 2017-2021 according to the Territorial Administration of Rospotrebnadzor for Railway Transport and persons of flight professions of civil aviation aircraft of the Russian Federation for 2010-2020 according to the data of the Federal Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology. Results. Professional sensorineural hearing loss prevails in the structure of occupational morbidity of railway and aviation transport workers. Despite the absence of excess in-cabin noise levels, the leading professional group for hearing loss in railway transport are locomotive drivers and assistants, in civil aviation - aircraft commanders and co-pilots. The complexity of the professional activities of persons of these professions, a high degree of responsibility for the safety of transportation of passengers and cargo, readiness to act in non-standard conditions, loads on visual and auditory analyzers, create a high degree of labor intensity that causes chronic stress. The factor of chronic stress causes a violation of adaptive mechanisms and causes a number of complex neuro-reflex and neurohumoral shifts in the body, as a result of which labor intensity need to consider as a pathogenetically significant factor in the development of professional sensorineural hearing loss. Conclusions. Chronic sensorineural hearing loss is a priority occupational disease in persons of driving and flying professions, it is registered even in persons working in conditions of regulatory levels of industrial noise and a high degree of labor intensity. It is necessary to discuss the possibility of including labor intensity indicators as an additional etiological, pathogenetically significant factor in the expert criteria for establishing the connection of hearing loss with professional activity.

Occupational health risks in mining dump truck drivers

Introduction. In recent years, the mining dump truck drivers have consistently reported high rates of occupational morbidity. The aim of the study was a retrospective study of occupational pathology development in the mining dump truck drivers at the apatite open pits in the Kola Peninsula. Material and methods. A retrospective analysis of occupational pathology was carried out in six hundred forty three truck drivers. Its starting point was the results of a medical examination in 2008, and in 2009-2020, newly detected occupational diseases were studied. Results. During 12 years, 172 occupational diseases including vibration disease (n=63), radiculopathy (n=54), reflex syndromes (n=36), and sensorineural hearing loss (n=19) were diagnosed for the first time in 105 (16.3%) drivers. The development of occupational pathology in 85 (49.4%) cases was due to the increased severity of work (class 3.1-3.2). In 66 (38.4%) cases, the cause was whole-body vibration (class 3.1-3.2), in 19 (11.0%) cases - noise and in 2 (1.2%) cases - hand-arm vibration (class 3.1). The risk of developing vibration disease and occupational musculoskeletal pathology was increased by vertebral osteochondrosis (RR=1.78; CI 1.21-2.60; p=0.004), deforming osteoarthritis (RR=2.35; CI 1.41-3, 91; p=0.001), arthralgia (RR = 3.12; CI 1.66-5.86; p<0.0001), cervicalgia (RR=3.29; CI 1.48-7.32 ; p = 0.002). Occupational noise exposure (Z57.0) increased the risk of occupational sensorineural hearing loss (RR=2.61; CI 1.31-5.19; p=0.005). Limitations. The impossibility of completely eliminating the diagnosis of an occupational disease in drivers who left the observation group for permanent residence in other regions of the country. Conclusion. The occupational health risk for dump truck drivers is determined by the length of service, severity of work, impact of whole-body vibration and noise, concomitant musculoskeletal and ear diseases, which must be taken into account in the prevention of occupational diseases.

Epidemiological characteristics of hearing loss associated with noise temporal structure among manufacturing workers.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among manufacturing workers, and to provide evidence for diagnosing and preventing occupational hearing loss caused by complex noise, which is different from Gaussian noise in temporal structure.Methods: One thousand and fifty manufacturing workers exposed to occupational noise were recruited in a cross-sectional survey. Exposure characteristics and epidemiological distribution of hearing loss and noise exposure metrics (noise energy and kurtosis) were investigated, and the relationship between noise exposure and hearing loss was analyzed. The effects of kurtosis on hearing threshold shift across different frequencies and on NIHL development with exposure duration and noise intensity were also investigated.Results: Each type of work had specific noise exposure metrics. Noise intensity and kurtosis were independent parameters (r = −0.004, p = 0.885). The prevalence of NIHL and the hearing threshold level had a specific distribution in different types of work. Kurtosis deepened the hearing notch at high frequencies and accelerated the formation of early hearing loss. The effect of exposure duration and noise intensity on the prevalence of high-frequency NIHL (i.e., at 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz) for manufacturing workers increased with kurtosis in workers with noise exposure duration of less than 10 years and with LAeq.8h between 80 and 90 dB(A). Male (OR = 1.557, 95%CI = 1.141–2.124), age (OR = 1.033, 95%CI = 1.014–1.052), exposure duration (OR = 1.072, 95%CI = 1.038–1.107), kurtosis (OR = 1.002, 95%CI = 1.001–1.003), and noise intensity (LAeq.8h; OR = 1.064, 95%CI = 1.044–1.084) were risk factors for high-frequency NIHL. The speech-frequency NIHL (i.e., at 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz) risk of workers exposed to manufacturing noise was related to age (OR = 1.071, 95%CI = 1.043–1.100). There were no statistically significant associations between speech-frequency NIHL and sex, noise exposure duration, kurtosis, and noise intensity (LAeq.8h).Conclusion: The high-frequency NIHL prevalence among manufacturing workers is associated with sex, age, exposure duration, noise intensity, and temporal structure of noise, while the speech-frequency NIHL prevalence is associated with age. Kurtosis strengthens the association of noise exposure duration and noise intensity with high-frequency hearing loss. The influence of noise temporal structure should be considered in the diagnosis and early prevention of occupational hearing loss caused by complex noise.

Special Aspects of Rehabilitation Programs Organization of Locomotive Crews Employees with Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: a Review

INTRODUCTION. Preserving the health of the working population is a priority task of modern medicine; in this case, special attention should be paid to specialists working under the influence of harmful production factors, such as noise, vibration and other physical and chemical factors. Such professional groups include employees of railway transport, in particular, employees of locomotive crews. The most common occupational disease in this occupational group is sensorineural hearing loss. The review presented the main areas of work on the treatment and rehabilitation of locomotive crews workers, depending on the degree of hearing loss. The effectiveness of early diagnosis, the need to form risk groups for dynamic observation and in-depth examination, the use of various medicinal and physical methods to restore auditory function in the initial manifestations of hearing loss, which will keep qualified personnel able to work in their profession, were analyzed. Non-specific changes associated with noise exposure and methods for their correction were also considered. AIM. To summarize literature data on the organization of rehabilitation programs for employees of locomotive crews with occupational sensorineural hearing loss. CONCLUSION. The development of rehabilitation programs for the correction of auditory function in employees of locomotive crews requires an integrated approach, with the earliest possible start of rehabilitation measures, the use of medical and physical methods of medical rehabilitation.

A case-control study on the relationship between DNA methylation and occupational noise hearing loss

Objective: To explore the relationship between DNA methylation and occupational noise-induced hearing loss. Methods: A case-control study was conducted. People with hearing loss induced by occupational noise were recruited as the case group and those with normal hearing but still exposed to occupational noise were recruited as the control group. A total of 60 participants were included, of which 30 participants were in the case group and 30 in the control group. The methylation level was detected by 850k genome-wide DNA methylation chip technology. The significance of differential methylated position (DMP) was tested by R-packet 'Champ'. The differential methylated region (DMR) was analyzed by using Champ's Bumphunter algorithm. Cluster profiler was used to analyze the gene list for GO and KEGG pathway enrichment. Results: There was significant difference between two groups in binaural high-frequency average hearing threshold (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in age, smoking, drinking, hypertension, physical exercise and cumulative noise exposure. The results of DMP and DMR analysis showed that 713875 sites were detected in the case group and the control group, and 439 methylation sites with significant difference, accounting for 0.06%; 650 regions were detected, and 72 methylation regions with significant differences, accounting for 11.08%. Compared with the control group, the results of GO enrichment analysis showed that the case group had statistically significant differences in four pathways: axogenesis of projection neurons in the central nervous system, neuronal development in the central nervous system, axogenesis of neurons in the central nervous system and neuronal differentiation in the central nervous system. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that there were significant differences in sphingolipid metabolism, aldosterone synthesis and secretion, primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway between the case group and the control group. Conclusion: The occurrence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss may be related to the regulation of gene expression related to axogenesis of projection neurons in the central nervous system, development of neurons in the central nervous system, axogenesis of neurons in the central nervous system, differentiation of neurons in the central nervous system, sphingolipid metabolism, aldosterone synthesis and secretion, primary bile acid biosynthesis and gene methylation related to metabolism.

Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in a Video Editor

The diagnosis of occupational noise-induced hearing loss is rarely made in a video editor, although there is a high prevalence of hearing loss. A 37-year-old woman experienced gradual hearing loss associated with tinnitus for the past 3 years. Audiometry showed mild-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss in the right ear and mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear. There is a dip at 2 kHz, which is more pronounced in the right ear with recovery at 8 kHz. The portable listening devices risk causing hearing loss from high-output noise damaging the cochlear structures. The amplitudes on otoacoustic emission levels are decreased by using these devices, especially among long-time users. Incessant tinnitus may cause adverse effects on the quality of life. Sound therapy devices such as digital signal processing devices through hearing aids may assist this group of patients by distracting their attention from tinnitus.

Актуальные проблемы экспертизы профессиональной нейросенсорной тугоухости у пилотов гражданской авиации

Occupational hearing loss in the civilian flight crew members prevails in the structure of occupational hearing loss. The study was aimed to assess errors made in forensic evaluation of flight personnel with hearing loss. A total of 213 definitive diagnoses of occupational hearing loss established in 2015–2021 were assessed. Expert errors were found in 73% of cases. The most common, typical errors were reported that were evident in 12 cases submitted for forensic evaluation. The main errors were as follows: incorrect assessment of the parameters of noise inside the aircraft cabin, lack of knowledge about the clinical and audiological features of noise-induced hearing loss, incorrect assessment of audiological indicators, underestimation of the role of comorbidities, etc. The findings showed that high proportion of occupational hearing loss in the civilian flight crew members was in large part due to imperfection of expert solutions resulting from the lack of knowledge about the basic criteria of the diagnosis and the relationship between the noise-induced hearing loss and profession. The major requirements for evaluation of the relationship between the noise-induced hearing loss and profession and the issues related to professional suitability set out in the current regulatory documents issued by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and seminal publications were not taken into account. The cornerstones of expert work on the issues of the relationship between the hearing organ disorder and profession in the civilian flight crew members were underestimated. This resulted in unsubstantiated professional unsuitability, disability among working-age people, and economic losses.

Assessment of Occupational Noise Generation and Associated Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among Employees of a Black Tea Processing Factory in Darjeeling District, India.

Exposure to high levels of noise is a problem among tea factory workers worldwide, but it is poorly studied in India. This study aimed to assess noise generation in various parts of a black tea factory and find out prevalence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) and its determinants among employees. An observational cross-sectional study was performed in a black tea processing factory of Darjeeling District. Noise levels and exposure data at different parts of the factory were measured using a sound level meter. Participant characteristics were obtained using a questionnaire and noise-induced hearing loss data obtained by audiometry. A sound map was generated based on noise exposure data and a multivariable logistic regression performed to assess determinants of ONIHL. Sound pressure levels ranged from 58.7 to 90.3 dBA, with the highest levels in the crushing-tearing-curling (CTC) room. Noise exposure of workers was the highest during curling process and the lowest during packaging in the packing room. The prevalence of ONIHL was found to be 28.3%, most of which were of moderate degree, and the highest prevalence was among CTC room workers. Multivariable analysis showed significant association only between daily noise exposure and the presence of ONIHL (AOR 1.68, P value = 0.018). None of the study participants used any hearing protection equipment during work. Generation of high levels of noise is a pertinent problem in the black tea factory, which, coupled with non-use of personal protective equipment, led to a high risk and prevalence of ONIHL.

An Investigative Study on Cognitive Decline among Textile Industry Workers with Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Background and Aim: Occupational noise exposure is considered the second most common risk factor in the industry, which results in auditory and non-auditory health effects. The possibility of cognitive decline as one of the non-auditory health effects may be associated with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This study aimed to investigate the cognitive decline among textile workers with NIHL. Methods: A total of 30 male textile workers (mean age: 41.2±4.1 years and mean years of noise exposure: 18.9±5.4 years) with symmetrical NIHL (mean 49.3±4.5 dB at 4 kHz) and 30 healthy male textile office staff (aged-matched) with normal hearing and no history of noise exposure were included in this study. Exclusion criteria were included any deficit in ear function, neurological problems, and head trauma. Hearing thresholds were obtained by air and bone conduction audiometry. Workers’ cognitive performance was investigated by two psychological tests: Corsi block and Stroop tests. Results: The Corsi block indicators including block span (p=0.022) and visuospatial working memory (p=0.002) showed a significant difference between the two groups. Also, the Stroop test indicators including total test time (p&lt;0.001) and response time (p&lt;0.001) showed a significant difference between the two groups. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that workers with a higher hearing threshold at 3 kHz had a lower cognitive performance from both tests. Conclusion: Our findings support the role of NIHL as a risk factor of developing cognitive decline in textile workers. Keywords: Cognitive decline; noise-induced hearing loss; industrial worker; Corsi block test; Stroop test

Modern approaches to the diagnosis of occupational hearing loss in workers exposed to noise

Due to the high prevalence of professional hearing loss, the difficulty of making decisions on the further working capacity of the employee, the issues of objectification of the assessment of the hearing condition among employees of «noise» productions, ensuring their reliability are very relevant. Based on the analysis of the results of tonal threshold audiometry and registration of short-latency auditory evoked potentials in 30 patients with impaired auditory function of professional origin, the difference in latencies of registered potentials, amplitudes and intervals was determined in comparison with a group of persons without industrial acoustic contact. The present study has shown that the test has sufficient informativeness in solving complex examination issues of interned patients with comorbid pathology of the circulatory organs by this age, and can be recommended for use for differential diagnosis of lesions of the central parts of the auditory analyzer in case of discrepancy with the results of tonal threshold audiometry.

Modern approaches to the diagnosis of occupational hearing loss in workers exposed to noise

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Meta analysis of hearing loss caused by the combined effect of noise and heat in the working population

Objective: To explore the effect of the combined effect of noise and heat on occupational hearing loss of workers by using Meta-analysis method. Methods: In August 2020, the Chinese and English literature on the relationship between exposure to noise and heat and occupational hearing loss published from January 2005 to August 2020 by CNKI, China Biomedical Literature Service System, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, VIP Official Database, Medline and PubMed Databases were searched, using noise, heat or hyperthermia, hearing as keywords. The selected data were analyzed by Stata 12.0 software, and the combined OR (95% CI) value included in the literature was calculated. Sensitivity analysis was used to explore the source of heterogeneity and analyze publication bias. Results: A total of 14 literatures (14 in Chinese, 0 in English) were included in the analysis, and 38654 subjects were included, including 6411 workers in the noise and heat combined effect group and 32243 workers in the noise alone group. The probability of hearing loss in the noise and heat combined effect group was 1.39 times higher than that in the noise alone group (95%CI: 1.14-1.69). The effect size OR was stable after sensitivity analysis, and there was no publication bias in the included literatures tested by Egger's and Begg's Method (z=0.38, P=0.702, t=-0.74, P=0.476) . Conclusion: Simultaneous exposure to noise and heat may increase the risk of hearing loss for workers in noisy workplaces.

Motivational Interviewing to Encourage Agricultural Producers' Use of Hearing Protection Devices: A Mixed-Method Feasibility Study.

Workers in production agriculture are frequently exposed to high noise levels and face unique barriers to implementing hearing protection, leading to occupational hearing loss. Motivational interviewing is a promising approach to assist workers in preserving their hearing. This pilot study used a mixed-method approach to evaluate the feasibility of an innovative motivational interviewing intervention for agricultural producers from February to May 2021. Qualitative data included coaches' and participants' comments and were coded using a structural coding approach. Quantitative data included Likert-type-style responses given by participants in a post-intervention survey. Data types were then integrated. Sixteen participants were recruited during the 4-month pilot. Participants' satisfaction scores averaged above six on a 7-point scale for all satisfaction questions. Implementation factors included the intervention's flexibility, services provided by the coaches beyond motivational interviewing, and difficulties with recruitment. This motivational interviewing intervention was highly acceptable to participants, but factors affecting implementation may challenge scalability.

Risk Assessment of Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among Maritime Personnel of Novoship PJSC

Background: Diseases induced by such physical factors as noise and vibration rank high in the structure of occupational disorders; their proportion increased from 36.6 % in 2004 to 51.15 % in the year 2019. Objective: To assess risks of hearing loss among the seafaring personnel of Novoship PJSC exposed to occupational noise. Materials and methods: The observation group included men with 10, 20 and 30 years of work experience. In accordance with generally accepted methods, an a priori occupational risk was determined for workers exposed to noise at workplaces in the years 2014–2016. Results: We established that the limit of the equivalent sound level of 80 dBA was exceeded by 13–16 dBA at the workplaces of mechanics, electricians, and motor mechanics of the shipping company. In accordance with R 2.2.1766–03, Guidelines on occupational risk assessment for workers’ health: Organizational and methodological aspects, principles and criteria, the health risk posed by noise exposure was moderate (significant), category 2, for mechanics and senior stokers (turners) and high (intolerable), category 2, for first-class stokers. In accordance with the Russian National Standard GOST R ISO 1999-2017, Acoustics. Estimation of noise-induced hearing loss, methodology, the probability of mild hearing loss by 26 dB (first degree of sensorineural hearing loss) in seafarers of the studied occupations at the age of 40, 50 and 60 years with a 10-year work experience years was 13.1 %, 29.7 %, and 50.4 %, respectively; the probability of moderate hearing loss by 41 dB (second degree of sensorineural hearing loss) was 0 % for the age of 40 and 50 years and 17.0 % for the age of 60 years; the probability of mild hearing loss by 26 dB at the age of 50 with a work experience of 20 and 30 years was 36.7 % and 52.2 %, at the age of 60 – 58.2 % and 72.2 %; the probability of moderate hearing loss by 41 dB for these age groups was 0 % and 23.2 % for the seafarers with 20 years of experience, 27.4 % and 44.7 % for the seafarers with 30 years of experience, respectively. Conclusion: Effective planning of measures for noise-induced occupational disease prevention requires a legislative decision on compulsory assessment of occupational risks of noise-induced hearing loss based on the results of audiometry of workers exposed to sound levels above 80 dBA within annual health checkups.

Occupational hearing loss in music performers of Cuenca’s Symphonic Orchestra, 2019

BACKGROUND: Noise-induced hearing loss (NHL) is the second leading cause of hearing loss, after presbycusis. It is considered an occupational disease and a public health problem. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss and its association with other sociodemographic and occupational variables in performers of Cuenca’s Symphonic Orchestra in 2019. METHODS: This is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study, whose universe was conformed by the professional musicians of Cuenca’s Symphonic Orchestra in 2019. We aimed to establish the risk of noise-induced hearing loss in association with variables such as age, sex, hours of daily practice, material of the instrument played, and years of exercise as a musician, throught Odds Ratio statistical test. The 45 musicians were surveyed and audiometric tests were performed. RESULTS: The universe consisted of 45 musicians: 38 males and 7 females. The average age was 40 years. 46.7% played a musical instrument profesionaly for more than ten years and 53.3% for up to ten years. 60% practiced more than 10 hours a day. 53.3% played string instruments, 20% woodwind instruments, 17.8% brass instruments and 8.9% percussion instruments. The prevalence of hearing loss was 17.8%: 13.3% bilateral and 4.4% unilateral. The prevalence of mild hearing loss was 8.9%; moderate in 6.7% and acoustic trauma occurred in 2.2%. Age (&gt;30 years) and working time (&gt;10 years) represented risks for hearing loss development. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss was 17.8%, mostly mild and bilateral. All those who were affected were male. The prevalence was higher among musicians who played wind-metal instruments; however, no statistically significant association was found. Being older than 30, and having played professionally for more than years are risk factors for noise-induce hearing loss.

Literature analysis of hot topics on occupational noise-induced hearing loss

Objective: To analyze the literature of related research reports on occupational hearing loss (ONIHL) , study the characteristics of the subject and determine the research hotspots. Methods: In December 2020, PubMed database was searched by bibliometrics for ONIHL published in PubMed database from January 1971 to December 2020. Bicomb 2.03 software was used to extract the subject. The publication year, publication country, source magazine and subject words were summarized and analyzed. Results: A total of 1 473 papers were included in this study, and the number of papers was 66 from 1971 to 1980, and 628 from 2011 to 2020, an increase of nearly 10 times. The top three countries were the United States, China and Germany, with 31.5% (464/1473) , 11.5% (171/1473) and 6.2% (91/1473) ; The cross-sectional study was the most applied type; The top five words for 2011-2020: Mental Illness, polymorphism, cardiovascular disease, high frequency hearing impairment and standards and regulations. Conclusion: Susceptibility Genes, Psychological Disorders, Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk Assessment are hot areas in ONIHL at present. Researchers should focus on major fields and grasp future trends as a whole.

Assessment of Occupational Hearing Loss Associated With Non-Gaussian Noise Using the Kurtosis-Adjusted Cumulative Noise Exposure Metric: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

ObjectiveThere is little literature on the validity of kurtosis-adjusted noise energy metrics in human studies. Therefore, this study aimed to validate the application of cumulative noise exposure (CNE) adjusted by kurtosis in evaluating occupational hearing loss associated with non-Gaussian noise among manufacturing workers.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1,558 manufacturing workers exposed to noise from five industries to collect noise exposure and hearing loss data. Both CNE and kurtosis-adjusted CNE (CNE′) were collapsed into 2-dB(A)∙year bins, and the mean noise-induced permanent threshold shifts at 3, 4, and 6 kHz (NIPTS346) in each bin were calculated. The contributions of CNE and CNE′ to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) were compared using the multiple linear regression. The degree of overlap of two linear regression equations (i.e., between CNE′ and NIPTS346 for non-Gaussian noise and between CNE and NIPTS346 for Gaussian noise) was used to evaluate the validity of the CNE′ using a stratified analysis based on age and sex.ResultsMultiple linear regression models showed that after kurtosis adjustment, the standardized regression coefficient of CNE increased from 0.230 to 0.255, and R2 increased from 0.147 to 0.153. The linear relationship between NIPTS346 and CNE′ or CNE showed that the regression line of non-Gaussian noise was closer to that of Gaussian noise when using CNE′ than using CNE. The mean difference in NIPTS346 between the equations of non-Gaussian noise and Gaussian noise was significantly reduced from 4.32 to 1.63 dB HL after kurtosis adjustment (t = 12.00, p < 0.001). Through a stratified analysis, these significant decreases were observed in male and female workers, and workers aged ≥30 years old.ConclusionAs a noise exposure metric combining noise energy and temporal characteristics, the kurtosis-adjusted-CNE metric was more effective than CNE alone in assessing occupational hearing loss among manufacturing workers in non-Gaussian noise environment. However, more studies are needed to verify the validity of the kurtosis-adjusted-CNE metric.

Applying kurtosis-adjusted cumulative noise exposure to assess occupational hearing loss among furniture manufacturing workers

Applying kurtosis-adjusted cumulative noise exposure to assess occupational hearing loss among furniture manufacturing workers