Prevention Of Noise-induced Hearing Loss Research Articles

Profiling Noise Induced Hearing Loss among Selected Auto-Rickshaw Drivers in Chennai City, India: A Pilot Study

Background: The main reasons of city noise pollution in India are vehicle density and traffic congestion. Frequent travelling in auto-rickshaws in most of Indian urban areas may lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) where drivers are primary victims followed by its daily passengers and outside commuters. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of NIHL among auto rickshaw drivers in three selected routes in Chennai city, India.Methods: Thirty drivers with age-range between 26 and 58 years and a minimum of five years driving experience were included in this study. As per questionnaire records, they had no history of hearing disabilities at the beginning of this profession. Noise Dosimeter was used to assess personal noise and pure-tone audiometric testing was conducted to quantify hearing loss for all participants. In an average, they were found to have on driving mode for about 4 hours and would wait in auto-rickshaw stands for another 4 hours during 8 hours personal monitoring. Consequently, a few stand areas were monitored using Sound Level Meter (SLM) to assess background noise. Measurements were taken thrice within three consecutive months starting from January 2016. Relevant questionnaires and participants’ informed consents were also taken into account for ethical approval from the institute.Results: Average 8 hours personal exposures and area noise levels were recorded as 92.02 and 79.30 dBA, respectively; higher than prescribed permissible limits. Among all participants, 23 (76.7%) were found to have noise induced hearing loss as diagnosed by Air and Bone Conduction tests.Conclusion: Studies on noise exposure assessment among auto-rickshaw drivers are still inadequate in India. Despite a few limitations of recruiting auto-drivers in larger scale, the findings of this study would encourage to conduct more organized epidemiological studies on hearing loss even for long-distance professional drivers.

Reactive oxygen species levels are high risk worker of noise induced hearing loss in hospitals

Excessive noise exposure could increase the production of reactive oxygen species in the cochlea, thus causing the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Environment noise are commonly found in industrial sites but its possibility of hospitals also include noisy locations. Objectives: To analyze the correlation of reactive oxygen species and hearing impairment to employees at risk in the Hospital. Method: Participants was obtained by identifying the employees in hospital from 3,813. They were examined for baseline characteristics, hearing loss and reactive oxygen species. Hearing loss was defined as audiometry and tympanometry level. Result: The proportion of participant was 42.43 ± 10.72 years old in women (58.33%) and noise levels at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital was 98.15 ± 8.16 dB in range 85.39 to 112.90 dB. The prevalence of NIHL was 47.92% (audiometry) and 70.83% (otoacoustic emission). Reactive oxygen species estimated 5.55 ± 4.39 ng/ml. Statistical analysis of reactive oxygen species to audiometry (p = 0.993) and reactive oxygen species to otoacoustic emission (p = 0.647). Conclusion: increased production of reactive oxygen species that cause hearing loss, but there was no correlation between reactive oxygen species and hearing loss in risk worker at the hospital.

Understanding a New Method as Powerful Prevention of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Kurtosis Metric

Understanding a New Method as Powerful Prevention of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Kurtosis Metric

The Association of Reactive Oxygen Species Levels on Noise Induced Hearing Loss of High Risk Workers in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya, Indonesia.

Excessive noise exposure could increase the production of reactive oxygen species in the cochlea, thus causing the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Noise is commonly found in the industrial sites. However, public places like hospital also can have noisy location which risk the workers of NIHL. To analyzed the correlation of reactive oxygen species and hearing impairment to employees at risk in the hospital. Participants were obtained by identifying the employees in hospital from 3813. They were examined for baseline characteristics, hearing loss and reactive oxygen species. Hearing loss was defined as audiometry and tympanometry level. The statistical test that used in this study is Chi square test (p < 0.05). The proportion of participant was 42.43 ± 10.72years old in women (58.33%) and noise levels at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital was 98.15 ± 8.16dB in range 85.39-112.90dB. The prevalence of NIHL was 47.92% (audiometry) and 70.83% (otoacoustic emission). Reactive oxygen species estimated 5.55 ± 4.39ng/ml. Statistical analysis of reactive oxygen species to audiometry (p = 0.993) and reactive oxygen species to otoacoustic emission (p = 0.647). Increased production of reactive oxygen species that cause hearing loss, but there was no correlation between reactive oxygen species and hearing loss in risk worker at the hospital.

Effect of Using Hearing Protection and Earphone on Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus in Workshop’s Workers

Noise exposure can leads to health effect such as Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and tinnitus. Besides workplace, noise can be obtained from using earphones. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of using hearing protection and earphone on NIHL and tinnitus in workers at PT DPS machine workshop. This was a cross sectional with observational analytic study design. This study was conducted in 37 workers at PT DPS machine workshop exposed to noise by using simple random sampling. Results showed that noise level in workplace was 88,57 dBA (8 hours TWA) which exceed TLV 85 dBA. Prevalence of NIHL and tinnitus in workplace was respectively 21.6% and 54%. NIHL affected by using hearing protection and earphone (MLR, p &lt; 0.01; p &lt; 0.05 respectively) and tinnitus affected by using earphone (MLR, p &lt; 0.01) after controlled by working period. It can be concluded that prevalence of NIHL and tinitus are relatively high, NIHL affected by using hearing protection and earphone while tinnitus affected by using earphone. It is recommended for workers to use hearing protection in noise workplace and to reduce using earphone while PT DPS must provide hearing protection and do briefi ng to increase workers’ awareness about using hearing protection.

Ba-Boom! There Goes Your Hearing.

The article discusses research on treatment and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss. Topics include work by researcher John Oghalai using optical coherence tomography (OCT), the use of laboratory mice to study noise-induced hearing loss, and the role of neural connection preservation in preventing hearing loss in relation to U.S. military research priorities.

Association Between Portable Music Player Use and Hearing Loss Among Children of School Age in the Netherlands

Portable music player use may have harmful effects on hearing. The magnitude and effect of frequent music exposure, especially at younger ages, on hearing are unclear. To examine the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss in a 9- to 11-year-old population and associations with portable music player use and sociodemographic factors. A cross-sectional study within an ongoing, prospective, birth cohort study within Rotterdam, the Netherlands was conducted. Between ages 9 and 11 years, 5355 children underwent their first audiometric evaluation. Children were excluded if they had missing or failed tympanometry results. The study was conducted from April 16, 2012, to October 25, 2015. Portable music player (PMP) use and sociodemographic factors assessed via parental questionnaires. Hearing acuity measured by pure-tone audiometry at 0.5 to 8 kHz. Possible noise-induced hearing loss was contingent on a high-frequency notch and/or high-frequency hearing loss in the audiogram, or reported hearing-related symptoms. The final sample included 3116 participants who were a mean (interquartile range) age of 9.7 (9.6-9.9) years and equally distributed between boys (1550 [49.7%]) and girls (1566 [50.3%]). Of these, 1244 (39.9%) reported no PMP use, 577 (18.5%) reported use 1 or 2 days per week, 254 (8.2%) reported use 3 or more days per week, and for 1041 (33.4%), PMP use was not reported. Audiometric notches and high-frequency hearing loss were present in 443 (14.2%) of all children; 140 (4.5%) fulfilled the criteria of a notch, 238 (7.6%) of high-frequency hearing loss, and 65 (2.1%) of both. Of the cohort, 52 (1.7%) showed bilateral impairment. Hearing-related symptoms were reported for 232 (11.3%) of the respondents, and 831 (40.0%) of the respondents used portable music players. Portable music player use was associated with high-frequency hearing loss (odds ratio [OR], 2.88; 95% CI, 1.36-6.980 for 1 or 2 days per week and OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 1.22-6.96 for ≥3 days per week), but listening time and duration were not. There was no association of music exposure with high-frequency notches. In this study, 14.2% of school-aged children showed audiometric notches or high-frequency hearing loss. This hearing impairment is already present prior to exposure to known noise hazards, such as club and concert attendance, and may have lifelong consequences. Repeated measurements are needed to confirm the association of portable music player use with hearing impairment in children.

Auditory characteristics of noise-exposed memberscrossing age-related groups

ObjectiveTo report audiological characteristics in a group of noise-exposed crew members on board ships. Methods and materialsClinical and audiological measurements including pure-tone thresholds, acoustic immittance results and tinnitus questionnaires were collected from both the ship crew members (study subjects) and their land based colleagues (controls). Results1) Noise exposed crew members showed not only high frequency, but also low frequency hearing loss; 2) Hearing impairment increased with age, with 65.5% of crew members younger than 50 years showing normal hearing while only 14.9% of those older than 50 years had normal hearing; 3) hearing loss gradually increased with the extension of on board career time; and 4) Most study subjects reported high pitch tinnitus, significantly more than the control group although not significantly different among different age groups. ConclusionNoise induced hearing impairment from working on board ships shows specific frequency and age characteristics. Understanding these characteristics is important for advancing relevant studies and for effective prevention of noise-induced hearing loss in ship crew members.

Supra-aural transducer-related artifact contributes to overestimation of noise-induced hearing loss.

This study compared the effects of supra-aural and insert receivers on the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in young adults. NIHL prevalence was found to be substantially higher when hearing thresholds were obtained with supra-aural compared to insert receivers on the same subjects. Real-ear sound pressure levels at 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz were the major predictors of notched-audiograms obtained with supra-aural headphones. Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions were not significantly different between ears with and without notched-audiograms obtained with supra-aural headphones. The results demonstrated that supra-aural transducer-related artifacts can mimic a notch-like pattern leading to overestimation of NIHL prevalence.

Safe-in-Sound Award Recognizes Innovations in Hearing Loss Prevention

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in partnership with the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA), has announced the 10th Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Award™ winner. The award honors those who have contributed to the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus through effective practices or innovations that will benefit people exposed to noise at work. The initiative was launched to discover and share successful hearing loss prevention programs and public health practices. By disseminating evidence-based strategies, Safe-in-Sound™ aims to enable other groups to effectively advance proven approaches in hearing loss prevention.hearing protectionThe Safe-in-Sound Award is presented at the NHCA annual conference, where the winners get to share their stories. For the Excellence Award, nominees are evaluated against key performance indicators for hearing loss prevention programs in the workplace. The Innovation Award recognizes individuals or organizations for their dedication in creating, fostering, and implementing innovative and evidence-based solutions for hearing-related challenges at work. These advances can include policy development, program development and implementation, advocacy and outreach efforts, as well as unique product applications with proven success. This award is not intended to endorse any commercial product. Over the past 10 years, the Excellence Awards have resulted in the acquisition of high-quality field data on different components of hearing conservation programs, including noise exposure monitoring, use of new technologies like fit testing for hearing protection, new approaches in training and hazard communication, and successful noise control outcomes that lead to the elimination of the need for a hearing conservation program or the reduction of workers enrolled in the program due to fewer noise exposures (Int J Audiol. 2012 Feb;51 Suppl 1:S63; Acoust Aust. 2016 Apr; 44(1):67). The Innovation Awards have facilitated the extension of successful hearing loss prevention activities for workers who are not traditionally considered in most hearing protection programs (such as those for musicians, military personnel, and construction workers). The award has been able to identify successful strategies that can be translated to other venues or work arrangements. 2018 EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER The 2018 Excellence award was given to the U.S. Army's Tactical Communications and Protective System (TCAPS) program. Since the launch of the TCAPS program, nearly 30,000 commercially-available hearing protective systems have been evaluated, procured, and fielded to 15 brigade combat teams of infantry soldiers in the U.S. Army. Collin Drennen, the program's system engineer, accepted the award. TCAPS are primarily issued to combat infantry soldiers who use tactical radios. Beyond prevention of hearing injury, this system provides soldiers with enhanced ability to identify and locate opposing forces while wearing hearing protection, and seamless integration into existing communication equipment. The TCAPS program developed new and innovative procedures to procure, test, deliver, and train users on hearing protection devices. The success of this program represents the army's recognition of the importance of hearing protection and communication. One of the program's primary objectives is to field devices that enable simultaneous maintenance of auditory situation awareness and protection from noise-induced hearing loss. Another objective—and key to its success—is to restore the soldiers’ confidence in hearing protection devices; that is, to restore the confidence that hearing protective devices are an asset and not a liability in training or on the battlefield. These devices are potential combat force multipliers providing soldiers with advanced and active hearing protection. Go online to see the previous award winners and to send nominations for the next Safe-in-Sound Awards.Thais C. Morata, PhDKristen L. Casto, PhD

Analysis on hearing status and related influencing factors in workers exposed to noise in an automobile manufacture enterprise

Objective: To study the hearing status and analyze the related influencing factors in noise-exposed workers in an automobile manufacture enterprise, and put forward suggestions for prevention of noise-induced hearing loss. Methods: Noise exposure level testing, audiometry testing and questionnaires were performed for noise exposed workers in the automobile manufacture enterprise. To analyze the relationship between different factors and noise-induced hearing loss by cumulative noise exposure(CNE) calculated 8-hour continuous A-weighted equivalent noise level and seniority. Results: The detection rate of hearing loss in noise-exposed workers was 22.8%. The noise exposure intensity of stamping workshop is higher than other workshop, and the hearing loss detection rate of stamping workshop workers is higher than other workshop workers. The detection rate of hearing loss has significant difference in L(Aeq·8 h), seniority, CNE, age, high temperature and wearing earplugs (P<0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that CNE, age and high-temperature were risk factors for noise-induced hearing loss (P<0.05 and OR>1) and there was an increasing tendency of hearing loss with increase in length of service and CNE, while using of earplugs was a protective factor (P<0.05 and OR<1). With the increase of CNE, the incidence of hearing loss is the rising trend. Conclusion: It is suggested to strengthen the noise control and individual protection and improve the high-temperature working environment, which plays an important role in reducing the occurrence of noise-induced hearing loss.

Hearing health across the lifespan: Prevention begins in early in life

Hazardous noise exposures begin early in life and evidence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus begins to appear in adolescence and early adulthood. In animal studies, these early noise exposures can cause permanent loss of greater than 50% of cochlear-nerve/hair-cell synapses that do not recover on their own and may contribute to greater age-related hearing loss in the future. All of the landmark studies over the past 75 years that identified the risk of NIHL in children and adolescents, ended with a recommendation for education or intervention to address the problem. In 1990, a consensus statement on Noise and Hearing Loss from the National Institutes for Health called for “a comprehensive program of education regarding the causes and prevention of NIHL should be developed and disseminated, with specific attention directed toward educating school-age children.” Today, there continues to be a need to nationally coordinate public health efforts to systematically address the prevention of NIHL in youth using evidence-based hearing health promotion based upon health communication science. Dangerous Decibels® is a successful evidence-based intervention program that has been demonstrated to be effective in changing knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of both youth and adults for the prevention of NIHL and tinnitus.

Progress in assessing and limiting occupational noise exposures in the United States

Occupational noise exposures in the United States (US) have resulted in a substantial occupational health burden on US workers. Despite the presence of regulations mandating exposure assessment and hearing loss prevention measures for highly-exposed workers, the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss continues to be high. However, several recent efforts may result in progress in reducing exposures to, and health impacts from, occupational noise. First, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has recently proposed revisions to the organization’s Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for Audible Sound, formerly referred to as noise. The proposed revised TLV includes updated documentation as well as notes related to non-auditory health effects of noise (including cardiovascular disease and injuries), which have not previously been considered in an occupational noise exposure limit. Second, a measurement-based national Job Exposure Matrix for Occupational Noise in the US and Canada has been developed at the University of Michigan and is now publicly available (noisejem.sph.umich.edu). This resource represents a useful tool for better understanding exposures to noise by job and industry. These two efforts, along with others, represent important progress in enhancing occupational health by protecting workers from the adverse health effects of noise.

Hearing health across a lifespan: Hearing screening from cradle to grave

The 2016 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report “Hearing Health Care for Adults: Priorities for Improving Access and Affordability” included a call to action for government agencies to strengthen efforts to collect, analyze, and disseminate population-based data on hearing loss in adults. In partial response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed the most recent available data collected both by questionnaire and audiometric tests of participants aged 20–69 years in the 2011–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to determine the presence of audiometric notches indicative of noise-induced hearing loss. Prevalence of both unilateral and bilateral audiometric notches and their association with self-reported exposure to loud noise were calculated. Nearly one in four adults had audiometric notches, suggesting a high prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss. The prevalence of notches was higher among males. Almost one in four U.S. adults who repor...

It’s a Noisy Planet—Protect Their Hearing: A Review of Noisy Planet

ABSTRACTThe National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, a division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, initiated a national public campaign designed to increase awareness among parents of children ages 8 to 12 about the causes and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss. With this information, parents and other adults can encourage children to adopt healthy hearing habits before and during the time that they develop listening, leisure, and working habits. Recommended practices for preserving hearing can be summarized in the campaign’s key message – “Turn It Down, Walk Away, or Use Hearing Protection.”

Association of flying time with hearing loss in military pilots

Background:Military pilots are exposed to harmful noise levels, and the two possible effects of this are hearing loss and tinnitus.Objective:This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss among Saudi military pilots and to determine its association with total flight hours and aircraft type (i.e., fixed and rotary wing).Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Armed Forces Aeromedical Centre, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, between November 2015 and October 2016. A total of 150 Saudi military pilots were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Pure-tone audiometry was used to measure hearing thresholds. Hearing threshold levels were compared between age groups and aircraft category. The association between total flying hours and the development of noise-induced hearing loss was analyzed.Results:The overall prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss in the military pilots was 18.4%, with a higher prevalence among fixed-wing pilots (42%) as compared with rotary-wing pilots (23%). Pilots with ≥2000 flying hours had a significantly higher hearing threshold compared with those in other categories. Age was a statistically significant risk factor.Conclusions:This study found that active pilots of both fixed- and rotary-wing aircrafts are at a high risk of noise-induced hearing loss; however, fixed-wing pilots with ≥2000 flying hours are at a higher risk. These findings support recommendations requiring instructions on the proper use of hearing protection devices to avoid noise-induced hearing loss.

Characteristic of Noise-induced Hearing Loss among Workers in Construction Industries

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is among the most common occupational disease in industries. This paper investigates NIHL in construction related industries in Malaysia with particular emphasis on its relation with risk factors. The objectives of this research were to (1) quantify the prevalence of NIHL in construction related industries, and (2) assess the relationship between hearing loss and risk factors and it’s characteristic. The study was conducted using 110 NIHL compensation record collected from Social Security Organisation (SOCSO), Malaysia. Risk factors namely area noise, age, temperature, smoking habit, hobby, diabetic and cardiovascular disease were identified and analysed. Results showed that there was no direct relationship between area noise with hearing impairment while there was only low relationship between age and hearing impairment. The range for area noise and age were between 70 to 140 dB(A) and 20 to 70 years, respectively. The other risk factors classified as categorical data and analysed using frequency method. Grade of impairment does not depend solely on area noise but also in combination with age and other risk factors. Characteristic of NIHL prevailed in construction related industries were presented using scatterplots and can serve as a references for future hazard control on site.

Assessing Hearing Conservation Program Effectiveness: Results of a Multisite Assessment.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) remains one of the most prevalent occupational diseases. Occupational hearing conservation programs (HCPs) can reduce the risk of NIHL, but there remains no consensus on assessing HCP effectiveness. We conducted a multisite, mixed-method assessment of HCP programs. At 13 manufacturing plants, we performed assessments, including interviews with program staff and worker focus groups and surveys. We analyzed the association between these assessments and age-corrected NIHL rates. Only a few items from the HCP staff interviews correlated with NIHL rates. For the employee survey, management commitment to NIHL prevention and being counseled about NIHL were strongly associated with NIHL rates. Management commitment and counseling of workers about NIHL may be key factors in program effectiveness. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods appears to be useful for assessing HCPs.

Incidence of occupational diseases in a province of China during the period of "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" and its trend

Objective: To investigate the incidence of occupational diseases in a province of China during the period of "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" , and to analyze the features of disease spectrum, the characteristics of regional and industrial distribution, and incidence trend. Methods: Data (2011-2015) were collected from the Information System of Occupational Diseases and Occupational Health to analyze the reported cases of occupational diseases during the period of "Twelfth Five-Year Plan". A statistical analysis was performed to identify the characteristics of the disease distribution in terms of sex, age, working years, enterprise type, enterprise scale, and region, as well as the incidence trend. Results: The overall incidence of occupational diseases in this province fluctuated and decreased gradually. There were a total of 5036 new cases of occupational diseases during the period of "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" ; 89.45% of them were male, and 69.78% of them were aged 40-69 years; the most frequently seen occupational diseases were pneumoconiosis (72.48%) and ear, nose, throat, and oral diseases (7.23%). Most cases of pneumoconiosis occurred after 5-10 years of exposure, and other occupational diseases usually developed within 10 years of exposure. New cases of occupational diseases were often seen in small and micro enterprises, as well as Wuxi, Suzhou, and Yancheng. Conclusion: During the period of "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" , the incidence of occupational diseases in this province decreased gradually, indicating improved control of occupational diseases, but we still need to pay attention to the high-risk population (male, aged over 40 years) , as well as the prevention of occupational noise-induced hearing loss, and to strengthen the supervision of small and micro enterprises.

Noise-induced hearing loss in grass-trimming workers

IntroductionNoise-induced hearing loss results from accumulated repetitive noise exposure of high amplitude. Grass-trimming workers are exposed to a noisy motorized machine that is carried on their back. We studied the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss and its characteristics among the workers. MethodsA comparative cross sectional study was conducted on a group of grass-trimming workers. Ear examination was conducted, followed by pure tone audiometry in a soundproof room at least 48 h after the subjects were free from the noise exposure. Noise-induced hearing loss was defined as failed definitive threshold at frequencies 3, 4 or 6 kHz of more than 20 dB with the loss at the two nearest frequencies on both sides of the dip amounting to at least 5 dB less. The intensity levels of the grass-trimming machines were measured by using a sound level meter by putting the probe near the external ear of the worker about 12 cm apart from his pinna. ResultsA total of 75 grass-trimming workers and a similar number of clerks participated in this study. The range of noise level of the machines was in between 91.3 dB and 100.7 dB with the mean of 95.0 dB. There was a significant correlation of noise-induced hearing loss in the grass-trimming workers (p value = .010) with the prevalence of 82.6%. The dip in PTA at 3, 4 and 6 kHz significantly occurred in the subjects with the p value of 0.001, 0.009 and 0.036 respectively. ConclusionIt is warranted to give continuing education on the grass-trimming workers about the risk and how to protect them from noise-induced hearing loss. While the diagnosis should be made in the presence of exposure, the possibility of noise-induced hearing loss is highest when the dip occurs at 3 kHz followed by 4 and 6 kHz.