Details:

Alternative Title:
Occup Environ Med
Publisher's site:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2011-100455
Personal Author:
Rabinowitz, Peter M. ; Galusha, Deron ; Dixon-Ernst, Christine ; Clougherty, Jane E. ; Neitzel, Richard L.
Rabinowitz, Peter M. ; Galusha, Deron ; Dixon-Ernst, Christine ; Clougherty, Jane E. ; Neitzel, Richard L. Less -
Description:
Objectives

Current understanding of the dose-response relationship between occupational noise and hearing loss is based on cross-sectional studies prior to the widespread use hearing protection and with limited data regarding noise exposures below 85dBA. We report on the hearing loss experience of a unique cohort of industrial workers with daily monitoring of noise inside of hearing protection devices.

Methods

At an industrial facility, workers exhibiting accelerated hearing loss were enrolled in a mandatory program to monitor daily noise exposures inside of hearing protection. We compared these noise measurements (as time-weighted LAVG) to interval rates of high frequency hearing loss over a six year period using a mixed effects model, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Workers’ high frequency hearing levels at study inception averaged more than 40 dB hearing threshold level (HTL). Most noise exposures were less than 85dBA (mean LAVG 76 dBA, interquartile range 74 to 80 dBA). We found no statistical relationship between LAvg and high frequency hearing loss (p = 0.53). Using a metric for monthly maximum noise exposure did not improve model fit.

Conclusion

At-ear noise exposures below 85dBA did not show an association with risk of high frequency hearing loss among workers with substantial past noise exposure and hearing loss at baseline. Therefore, effective noise control to below 85dBA may lead to significant reduction in occupational hearing loss risk in such individuals. Further research is needed on the dose response relationship of noise and hearing loss in individuals with normal hearing and little prior noise exposure.


Subject:
[+]
Adult
Article
Cohort Studies
Dose Response
Ear
Ear Protective Devices
Environmental Monitoring
Female
Hearing
Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss, High-Frequency
Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced
Humans
Industry
Male
Middle Aged
Noise, Occupational
Noise Induced
Occupational Diseases
Occupational Exposure
Occupations
Risk Factors
Work

Source:
Occup Environ Med. 70(10):716-721.
Document Type:
Journal Article
Funding:
1 R01 OH008641-01A2/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United States ; R01 AG026291/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States
1 R01 OH008641-01A2/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United States ; R01 AG026291/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States Less -
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:3714acf6611d757a68de5084903243ad1a220c1d88aad345b22ec8b8af369fcb
File Type:

Supporting Files

• 	nihms589855.nxml	txt
  	nihms589855f1.gif	gif
  	nihms589855f1.jpg	jpeg

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