25 June 2010
Screening protocols for the prevention of occupational noise-induced hearing loss: The role of conventional and extended high frequency audiometry may vary according to the years of employment
Maria RigaCDEF, George KorresABC, Dimitrios BalatsourasDF, Stavros KorresABFDOI: 10.12659/MSM.880932
Med Sci Monit 2010; 16(7): CR352-356
Abstract
Background: Although occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has become a major problem in industrialized societies, there is a notable lack of effective screening protocols to ensure its early diagnosis. The aim of this study was to detect a potential role of extended high frequency (EHF) audiometry in industrial hearing screening protocols.
Material/Methods: The population consisted of 151 persons, working for 8 hours daily in a noisy environment (90–110 dBA). The changes of hearing thresholds in industrial workers were analyzed, not only with respect to their age, as has been presented by previous studies, but also with respect to the duration of their previous employment.
Results: During the first 10 years of employment, the frequencies 12500, 14000 and 16000Hz were the only ones significantly affected. For the second decade of employment, thresholds were significantly elevated only at 2000 and 4000Hz. After exceeding 20 years of employment, the affected frequencies were 250, 500 and 1000Hz. The effects of age on hearing acuity were significant at all frequencies for the first 2 groups.
Conclusions: EHF audiometry seems able to identify the first signs of NIHL, much earlier than conventional audiometry, and therefore may need to be implemented in the screening examinations especially of workers with less than 1 decade of employment. Hearing screening protocols could become more efficient by adjusting their frequency ranges according to the frequencies “at risk”, which correspond to the duration of the workers’ previous employment.
Keywords: Mass Screening - methods, Logistic Models, Linear Models, Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced - prevention & control, Employment - statistics & numerical data, Auditory Threshold, Audiometry - methods, Noise, Occupational - statistics & numerical data, Time Factors
724 33
Editorial
01 June 2023 : Editorial
Editorial: Infectious Disease Surveillance Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its Role in Epidemic and Pandemic PreparednessDOI: 10.12659/MSM.941209
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e941209
In Press
08 Jun 2023 : Clinical Research
Risk Factors for New Vertebral Compression Fracture After Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation: A Retrospect...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940134
08 Jun 2023 : Clinical Research
A Nomogram for Identifying HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer Patients with Positive Sentinel Lymph Nodes and Omitted ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940124
08 Jun 2023 : Clinical Research
Burden of COVID-19 on Mental Health of Resident Doctors in PolandMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940208
08 Jun 2023 : Clinical Research
Risk Prediction for Rapidly Progressive Interstitial Lung Disease in Anti-MDA5-Positive Dermatomyositis: Th...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940251
Most Viewed Current Articles
13 Nov 2021 : Clinical Research
Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology ...DOI :10.12659/MSM.932788
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e932788
30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research
Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379
08 Mar 2022 : Review article
A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952