Occupational Noise-induced Hearing Loss Research Articles

Hearing loss among cement factory workers in Northwest Nigeria

Background: Exposure to noise has been observed to have deleterious effect on the health status of individuals working within the noisy environment. Continuous exposure to high and unwarranted sound remains a major cause of hearing disorder all over the world. Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) constitutes a worldwide problem in industries and contributes about 16% of hearing loss among adults globally. Aims and Objectives: The aim and objective was to evaluate the impact of occupational noise exposure on the auditory performance of workers at a cement company. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of consenting workers at a cement company (public liability company). A total of 341 respondents were recruited for the study with equal number of controls matched for age and sex. Ear examination was done and based on the exclusion criteria, 23 participants with diseased ears were excluded. There hundred and eighteen participants (616 for both study group and control group) each had an interviewer–administered, semi-structured questionnaire and underwent diagnostic pure-tone audiometry. A digital sound level meter (Type 2 well-calibrated TOMTOP-Model Number H4320) with a range of 30–130 dB was used to map out the sound in the respective departments. Results: One hundred and one (31.8%) noise-exposed workers had mild (23.3%), moderate (7.2%), and severe (1.3%) hearing loss in their right ears as against the 21 (6.6%) in the controls. This was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.000). Seventy-seven (24.2%) noise-exposed workers also had mild (17.9%), moderate (6.0%), to severe (0.3%) sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear with the controls having 6.3%; this was also found to be statistically significant (P = 0.000). The presence of notch at 4 kHz audiometric configuration was 14.5% and 17% in better and worse ears, respectively. Three hundred (94.3%) workers in the noise exposed group worked for

Cochrane method for systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions to prevent occupational noise-induced hearing loss - abridged.

Assess the effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions at work on noise exposure or occupational hearing loss compared to no or alternative interventions. Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, OSHupdate, Cochrane Central and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) were searched. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT), Controlled Before-After studies (CBA) and Interrupted Time-Series studies (ITS) evaluating engineering controls, administrative controls, personal hearing protection devices, and hearing surveillance were included. Case studies of engineering controls were collected. Cochrane methods for systematic reviews, including meta-analysis, were followed. 29 studies were included. Stricter legislation can reduce noise levels by 4.5 dB(A) (very low-quality evidence). Engineering controls can immediately reduce noise (107 cases). Eleven RCTs and CBA studies (3725 participants) were evaluated through Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs). Training of earplug insertion reduces noise exposure at short term follow-up (moderate quality evidence). Earmuffs might perform better than earplugs in high noise levels but worse in low noise levels (very low-quality evidence). HPDs might reduce hearing loss at very long-term follow-up (very low-quality evidence). Seventeen studies (84028 participants) evaluated hearing loss prevention programs. Better use of HPDs might reduce hearing loss but other components not (very low-quality evidence). Hearing loss prevention and interventions modestly reduce noise exposure and hearing loss. Better quality studies and better implementation of noise control measures and HPDs is needed.

Noise-induced hearing loss excess risk: indicators and criteria the problem of choosing

The optimal indicators and adequate criteria for the quantitative assessment of hearing loss excess risk with noise exposure above 80 dBA is urgently needed determination. The technology for calculating hearing thresholds according to the model of the third edition of the ISO 1999.3:2013 standard, depending on gender, age, length of service and noise exposure, based on MSExcell tables, for population percentiles 1÷99% in 1% steps has been developed. Rules for selecting optimal indicators and criteria for hearing loss for the early signs of hearing loss excess risk and the excess risk of occupational noise-induced hearing loss have been developed. The excess risk of hearing loss for men on the age, length of service and the level of noise exposure dependences are calculated. The optimal indicators and criteria for hearing loss to identify early signs of the effect of noise on the hearing organ and to calculate the excess risk of hearing loss when exposed to noise are identified. Calculated by the average binaural hearing threshold at frequencies of 0.5; 1.0; 2.0 and 3.0 kHz with an 30 dB assessment criterion excess risk most adequately solves the risk of occupational hearing loss determining problem. For the determine of early signs of hearing loss excess risk the average binaural threshold for hearing at frequencies of 4 and 6 kHz with an assessment criterion of 20 dB is useful better.

Functional activity of the brain depending on the degree of severity occupational noise-induced hearing loss

Thresholds of acoustical sensitivity, levels of perception of shepotny, informal conversation, UPP, characteristic of SSVP, neuropsychological features at 45 patients with easy degree of PNST (LONIHL) and at 50 - with moderate degree of ONIHL (UONIHL) are studied. LCP in the left frontal (Fs), central dark (Pz) leads increased in persons with ONIHL, and the inter-peak interval of the N13-N20 characterizing the central conduct time increased. The FAB, unlike the LONIHL, is characterized by deterioration of cognitive activity in the form of easily pronounced decrease of visual memory functions, expressive speech, FAB scale value indicating priority dysfunction of frontal, dark-occipital lobes, subcortical cerebral structures. Neurofunctional markers in UONIHL are the reduction of the indicators of the interfamily relations on the frontal department, conceptual thinking, visual image memory, expressive speech, MMSE and FAB tests, the increase of LCP in the left temporal, central dark, occipital right central N13-N20, inter-peak N25.

Awareness of hearing loss, vocal hygiene and vocal abuse among autorickshaw drivers in Mumbai

Awareness of hearing loss, vocal hygiene and vocal abuse among autorickshaw drivers in Mumbai - IJOAS- Print ISSN No: - 2582-4147 Online ISSN No:- 2582-421X Article DOI No:- 10.18231/j.ijoas.2019.003, IP Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Allied Science-J Otorhinolaryngol Allied Sci

Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss in India – A Capsule

Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss in India – A Capsule

Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL) and Fishing

Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL) and Fishing

Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL) and Fishing?

Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL) and Fishing?

Evaluating manufacturing environment soundscapes

This work presents an investigation into the soundscape of a large, industrial manufacturing plant in Lincoln, Nebraska, including exploration of the noise reduction performance of sound enclosures. Occupational noise-induced hearing loss is among the most common nonfatal work-related injuries and illnesses in the U.S., and most efforts to reduce this exist as limited noise exposure times and mandatory use of hearing protection devices. This research aims to develop knowledge of factory soundscapes and explore acoustical strategies to reduce noise near the source. The factory in this study uses two distinct types of sound enclosures on site: rigid box-style enclosures and resilient curtain-style enclosures. Using state-of-the-art technology, it was possible to better understand contributions of single noise sources to the complex, overall soundscape and evaluate some detailed acoustical characteristics of the noise. The measured data are compared with subjective assessment of company employees using methods described in Part 2 of the Soundscape Standard (ISO/TS 12913-2). Results presented include a noise reduction comparison of the two types of enclosures, a relationship between noise reduction and source-enclosure proximity, and a comparison between measurements and survey data.

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss among dental professionals.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the persistent high-frequency noise produced by dental equipment could cause hearing impairment among the dental professionals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the hearing capacity of 90 randomly selected dental practitioners from different specialties working in the UAE. The participants were approached in their workplace and their hearing capacity was evaluated using the pure tone audiometer. Twenty dental practitioners suffered from hearing impairment, which constitutes 22.2% of the studied sample. At high frequencies, left ears were more affected than right ears, but this was not statistically significant. There was a direct relationship between working hours per week and the hearing capacity, but this did not reach a statistically significant level. The lowest hearing capacity was detected in males at a significantly lower value compared to females. Positive correlation was found between years of experience and reduced hearing capacity among dental practitioners. In addition, males had a significantly higher median count of severely affected hearing frequencies compared to females. Online pure tone audiometric testing is an easy, cost-effective tool that can be used to self-assess the hearing capacity of dental professionals, and it is recommended to perform this test annually.

Analysis on Risk Factors of Depressive Symptoms in Occupational Noise-induced Hearing Loss Patients: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors of depressive symptoms in occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) patients.Methods:A total of 106 patients were divided into depressive symptoms (ONHLPD) and without depressive symptoms (non-ONHLPD) according to the Self-rating Depression Scale. Questionnaires and laboratory data were collected and analyzed. Data were analyzed with independent t-test, Wilcoxon test, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression models.Results:The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 53.8% in occupational NIHL patients. In ONHLPD, duration of the hearing loss, level of serum cortisol, scores of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory were all significantly higher than those of non-ONHLPD.Conclusion:The prevalence of depressive symptoms was relatively high in occupational NIHL patients. Duration of the hearing loss, sleep quality and tinnitus severity were the risk factors for occupational NHIL patients with depressive symptoms.

Measurement of hazardous personal noise exposure in spice manufacturing industry

There are many sources of hazardous noise that contributed to the hearing impairment, that resultant from over exposure noise level from workplace. This study examined the contribution of machine that used in the spice manufacturing towards to the employee. Initially, the background noise of each workstation needed to be measured using a sound level meter. Then, monitoring levels including machine noise levels and daily self-reported duration noise exposure to workers was elucidated. A total of 30 workers were identified as having workplace noise exposures. The average noise levels were between 81 and 97 dBA in high and low noise exposure areas, respectively. The average self-reported workplace noise measure time was 8 hours/day. The estimated mean daily noise exposures were calculated from machine noise were found to be higher than the Factories And Machinery (Noise Exposure) Regulations, specifically 90 dBA eight-hour time weighted average (TWA). In addition, 750% of production workers had estimated greater than TWA value exposures. It is therefore recommended that industries either limit workplace use among the production workers or require device and technological advanced to prevent occupational noise-induced hearing loss

Noise Exposure Assessment and Estimated Excess Risk of Cabin Personnel in the Locomotive-CC205

Train is one of the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation. However, currently there are still some types of locomotive designed to be opened (such as CC201); hence, the generated noise can potentially affect the health of the workers, particularly cabin personnel (i.e. train driver and assistant of driver). The objective of this study are to analyze the noise levels exposed to cabin personnel and to estimate the excess risks of occupational noise-induced hearing loss in the locomotive. The cabin personnel were considered as exposed group while the office workers of the train station (Poncol Station) was the control group. The noise levels were measured continuously during the working hours using noise dosimeter. The audiometry test was also conducted to both case and control group. The data were analyzed using chi-square statistical test and NIOSH 1998 method of excess risk estimation. The measured noise exposure level in the locomotive-CC205 during the working hours (4-5 hours) ranged from 71.2 dBA until 123.4 dBA. However, the excess risks of the respondents were only 0.75% higher than the control group. This might be due to the short working period of the participants (no more than 10 years). The noise exposure to the case group workers were higher than time-weighted average noise level. Based on the chi-square statistical test, it is concluded that the noise levels affect the noise-induced hearing loss of the cabin personnel.

Patterns and trends in OSHA occupational noise exposure measurements from 1979 to 2013

ObjectivesNoise is one of the most common exposures, and occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is highly prevalent. In addition to NIHL, noise is linked to numerous non-auditory health effects. The...

Management of occupational noise induced hearing loss in the mining sector in South Africa: Where are the audiologists?

Objective: This study was conducted to explore the scope of practice for occupational audiologists in the mining industry and the audiologists' involvement in hearing conservation programmes in South African mines. Additionally, this study investigated the mining industry's role in the audiologists' involvement, and assessed the audiologists' levels of preparedness for working in occupational audiology. Methods: In-depth, qualitative telephone and face-to face interviews were conducted with seven occupational audiologists involved in the management of occupational, noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) in the South African mining sector. Snowball sampling was utilized to recruit possible participants for this study. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: The following themes were identified: scope-context misalignment, juniorization of the experts, audiologists are important... but for what?, and limited training in occupational audiology. Conclusions: Our evidence highlights important gaps in HCPs in South Africa. The fact that the audiologists responsible for the management of ONIHL are only minimally and peripherally involved may play a significant role in the lack of progress reported in the management of ONIHL in the South African mining sector.

Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) MRI analysis of gray matter in patients with occupational noise-induced hearing loss

Objective: To investigate the changes of brain gray matter volume in patients with occupational noise-induced hearing loss by voxel based morphometry (VBM) . Methods: 16 age-and education-matched healthy controls and 42 patients with occupational noise induced hearing loss, including 27 in mild group and 15 in severe group, received MRI 3D-FSPGR sequence T1WI sagittal scan, and then underwent VBM of brain gray matter volume data analysis. Results: The brain gray matter volume of the left occipitotemporal lateral gyrus, the anterior cingulate gyrus, the bilateral angular gyrus, the precuneus and the near midline area of cerebellum differed between experimental group and control group (P<0.01) . Conclusion: The volume of gray matter in specific brain areas of patients with occupational noise-induced hearing loss was changed, and the effect of noise on brain structure was revealed from the perspective of imaging.

Hearing Loss Asymmetry due to Chronic Occupational Noise Exposure.

To determine whether occupational noise exposure causes symmetrical or asymmetrical hearing loss. Retrospective Case Series. Otorhinolaryngology Specialist Centre. Seven hundred forty-four reports for occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) compensation were analyzed. Subjects with at least 40% of their total hearing loss due to occupational NIHL were included. Claimants with any confounding factor that could cause asymmetric hearing loss such as history of shooting, head, or ear trauma were excluded. With the strict inclusion criteria, 83 subjects were included in the study. Claimants with ≥40%, ≥60%, and ≥80% occupational NIHL of their total hearing loss were compared. None. The left ear hearing threshold compared with the right ear hearing threshold (dB) at the frequencies 0.5 to 8 kHz. In the total group, the left ear hearing threshold was statistically significantly higher compared with the right ear at 3 kHz (2.41 dB). In the subgroups ≥60% and ≥80% occupational NIHL of total hearing loss, the left ear hearing threshold was statistically significant higher compared with the right ear at 3 kHz, respectively, 3.81 dB and 5.53 dB and 4 kHz, respectively, 2.86 dB and 5.53 dB. An asymmetry of more than 10 dB at 3 and 4 kHz was observed in 39% and 30% of the subjects respectively. In these cases, the vast majority had more pronounced hearing loss in the left ear. Findings of this study further indicate that the left ear is more susceptible to noise exposure compared with the right ear.

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss in South African large-scale mines: exploring hearing conservation programmes as complex interventions embedded in a realist approach

Background. Complex interventions have been conducted in the field of public health to improve health at the individual, organizational policy or population level. In occupational audiology, hearing conservation programmes (HCPs), which are interventions to minimize or eliminate occupational noise-induced hearing loss, are currently not defined as complex interventions, despite them fitting the definition and features of complex interventions. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether HCPs are a complex intervention, fitting the predefined criteria for complex interventions. Method. A qualitative, descriptive research design was conducted using three sources of data – document analysis, interviews and systematic review – to allow for triangulation. Data were collected through purposive sampling and qualitative content analysis was used. Results. This study confirmed that HCPs are a complex intervention founded on solid and consolidated theories. Therefore, these results paved the way for realist reviews to be conducted in the mining sector in South Africa in order to understand the mechanisms influencing the success or failure of HCPs locally. Conclusion. The success of HCPs in the mining sector depends on conducting contextually evidence-based evaluations such as realist reviews which can provide policy-makers with contextual evidence for why certain programmes do or do not work in certain settings.

Occupational noise induced hearing loss among local industrial population in Kashmir: a lifestyle study

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; The purpose of this observational study was to evaluate the incidence of occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) among the local industrial population of Kashmir who are involved in occupations exposed to noise.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; This prospective observational study was conducted in the department of ENT&amp;amp;HNS of government medical college Srinagar and SMHS Hospital. Total of 508 patients were screened and 158 patients were found have ONIHL patients were included in this study. The study population was evaluated for any significant history and were subjected thorough ENT assessment which included history, clinical examination, Otoscopic examination and then a pure tone audiometry. All these patients were further evaluated with a questionnaire in addition to clinical examination. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Around 31% (158) participants were found to have occupational noise induced hearing loss. The highest incidence of hearing loss was found in 50-59 years age group, which was 0.61. The industrial distribution of occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) in the screened population in the community was found maximum among Bandsaws workers with ONIHL, contributing 30.37% to the total. ONIHL was found to be most common (64.28%) in individuals exposed to loud noise for maximum duration of time (&amp;gt;20 yrs), while it was least common (20.34%) in individuals exposed to loud noise for least duration of time (&amp;lt;5 yrs).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; Our study concluded that people who are exposed to noise more than 90db for more than 8 hours day working in local industries of Kashmir have high frequency sensorineural hearing loss.

Improvement of noise-induced hearing loss criteria and occupational risk assessment

The analysis of the medical and social aspects of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) on the basis of its phenomenology is presented. The ear as an information receiver and frequency range of voice communication are considered. The NIHL classifications in Russia, starting with GOST 12.4.062-78 are described, and an overview of international (WHO, 2011; ILO, 2013; UKOOA, 2003) and national (Belgium, France, USA) NIHL criteria are outlined. As example a civil aviation pilot audiogram was compared to different criteria; it is shown that in 5 of 14 models used criteria were stricter than GOST 12.4.062-78. It is noted that for the medical fitness to work examination it is necessary to use criteria that differ from those for population. The modification of GOST 12.4.062-78 classification is proposed by subdivision of signs of the noise influence on the hearing into 2 groups: early and expressed signs with NIHL values at 4 kHz less than 20 dB and 20-40 dB, respectively, that is useful for monitoring and prevention. The use of PPE with a view to ensuring safety is considered. The proposal to improve NIHL evaluation criteria are proposed in connection with the adoption of SanPiN 2.2.4.335916 onphysical factors with PEL of noise and GOST R ISO 1999-2017 on assessment of noise-inducedhearing loss, taking into account the role of hearing health for safe and effective work.