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published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

published_or_final_version / Speech and Hearing Sciences / Master / Master of Science in Audiology

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T18:11:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ana Ligia Melo Martins Greca.pdf: 460056 bytes, checksum: b44d71bbbac35e1535f5b80186a51c22 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-12-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Objective. Evaluate the knowledge of workers exposed to noise in relation to hearing protection and identify prevalence and outbreaks of noiseinduced hearing loss over three years. Method. The sample consisted of 65 workers at an engineering company aged 21 to 57 years, all male and exposed to noise at or above 85 dB (A). All workers wore hearing protection. The procedures included the use of the questionnaire "Beliefs and attitudes about hearing protection and hearing loss" and analysis of audiometric tests performed in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Results: Most workers (70.8%) had a time of noise exposure in the company within one to five years. Of the total, 33 workers (50.7%) reported complaints regarding the use of hearing protectors. The most frequent complaints were itching (23.1%) and difficulty in communication (12.3%). Most workers (78.5%) reported working in noisy environment. The prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss ranged from 21.6% to 38.5% during the three years. The onset of hearing loss ranged from 23 to 38.5% in the comparison of tests from 2007 to 2009. The questionnaire answers indicated, in most cases, workers attached importance to the hearing and know the strategies of hearing protection. Conclusion: There was a statistically significant association between age and hearing loss. The questionnaire results indicated that, in general, workers have knowledge about hearing protection, despite the high prevalence rate and triggering noise-induced hearing loss / Objetivo. Avaliar o conhecimento de trabalhadores expostos a ruído em relação à proteção auditiva e identificar prevalências e desencadeamentos de perda auditiva induzida por ruído no decorrer de três anos. Método. A amostra foi composta por 65 trabalhadores de uma empresa de engenharia com idade de 21 a 57 anos, todos do sexo masculino e expostos a ruído igual ou superior a 85 dB(A). Todos os trabalhadores usavam protetores auditivos. Os procedimentos incluíram a aplicação do questionário Crenças e atitudes sobre proteção auditiva e perda auditiva e análise das audiometrias realizadas em 2007, 2008 e 2009. Resultados: A maioria dos trabalhadores (70,8%) tinha tempo de exposição a ruído na empresa no intervalo de um a cinco anos. Do total, 33 trabalhadores (50,7%) relataram queixas em relação ao uso de protetor auditivo. As queixas de maior ocorrência foram coceira (23,1%) e dificuldade de comunicação (12,3%). A maioria dos trabalhadores (78,5%) relatou trabalhar em ambiente ruidoso. A prevalência de perda auditiva induzida pelo ruído variou de 21,6% a 38,5% no decorrer dos três anos. O desencadeamento de perdas auditivas variou de 23 a 38,5% na comparação dos exames de 2007 a 2009. As respostas do questionário indicaram, em sua maioria, que os trabalhadores atribuíam importância à audição e conheciam as estratégias de proteção auditiva. Conclusão: Houve associação estatisticamente significante entre idade e perda auditiva. Os resultados do questionário indicaram que, em geral, os trabalhadores têm conhecimento com relação à proteção auditiva, apesar do elevado índice de prevalência e de desencadeamento de perdas auditivas induzidas por ruído

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T18:12:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vera Cecilia Gelardi.pdf: 3881608 bytes, checksum: 8e884f1f52452de1c7a39b78b2463341 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-07-29 / Continuous noise exposure can cause hearing effects, mainly noiseinduced hearing loss and tinnitus, and non-hearing. The annoyance (irritability and others) is one of the most important effects of noise on health. Purpose: To evaluate auditory and non-auditory noise effects among aerial grouping of military police. Method: The sample size was 50 Military Police. The auditory acuity was by pure tone audiometry. Auditory and non-auditory noise effects was conducted through a questionnaire adapted, based on Ferreira (2013). Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test to assess the association between the study variables and four outcomes (annoyance, stress, communication disorders and hearing loss). Adjusted logistic regression models were also used for each of the outcomes. Cronbach's Alpha Test was used to analyze the questionnaire reliability. Results: The majority of the Professionals considered the aircraft to be noisy (84%) and 88% classified it as intense. The main noise source inside the aircraft was the air traffic control radios. The military Police presented 40% hearing impairment mostly in the 3 kHz to 6 kHz frequency range. The mostly reported problems were the lack of attention and concentration, fatigue and tinnitus. Statistically significant association (p < 0,05) with stress, lack of attention, communication difficulties, irritability, annoyance and working performance were also found. The majority of the most discomforted professionals believed the lack of attention and communication difficulties (p<0,001), irritability (p=0,001) and working performance loss (p=0,001) was due to the environmental noise. Professionals that thought they can hear worse before (p<0,001) and felt they had hearing loss (p=0,009) had statistically significant association among hearing loss. Conclusion: Noise induced hearing loss occurred in 40% of the sample. The Annoyance, stress, communication difficulty and hearing loss were statistically associated with the workplace noise and various health effects. The internal consistency(Reliability)of the instrument was considered excellent / A exposição continuada ao ruído pode trazer tanto efeitos auditivos, como a perda auditiva induzida por ruído e o zumbido, quanto não auditivos. Dentre os efeitos mais preocupantes do ruído na saúde está o incômodo, caracterizado por sentimentos negativos como irritabilidade e dificuldade de concentração. Objetivo: Estudar os efeitos auditivos e o incômodo relacionado à exposição ao ruído em militares de um grupamento de radiopatrulha aérea. Método: A amostra foi constituída por 50 policiais militares. O estudo da acuidade auditiva foi realizado por meio de audiometria tonal liminar. A investigação do incômodo provocado pelo ruído e os demais efeitos, foi realizado por meio de um questionário adaptado, baseado em Ferreira (2013). A análise estatística foi realizada por meio do teste qui-quadrado para verificar a associação entre as variáveis do estudo e quatro desfechos (incômodo, estresse, dificuldade em se comunicar e presença de perda auditiva). Também foram ajustados modelos de regressão logística para cada um dos desfechos. Para a análise de confiabilidade do questionário foi utilizado o Teste Alpha de Cronbach. Resultados: A maioria dos profissionais (84%), considerou a aeronave ruidosa e 88% classificaram esse ruído como intenso. Quanto as principais fontes de ruído dentro da aeronave, os militares citaram o rádio controle de tráfego aéreo e de tráfego terrestre. Em relação à audição, 40% dos militares apresentaram audiogramas alterados, principalmente na faixa de frequência entre 3 kHz a 6 kHz. Quanto à sintomatologia, a falta de atenção e concentração, cansaço e o zumbido foram os mais citados. Foram encontradas associações estatisticamente significantes (p < 0,05) nos quatro desfechos com as seguintes variáveis: estresse, falta atenção, dificuldade de comunicação, irritação, incômodo, eficiência no trabalho. Os profissionais que se sentiam mais incomodados e estressados pelo ruído do ambiente acreditavam que o ruído causa estresse e falta de atenção, prejudica a comunicação com os outros, causa irritação e prejudica a eficiência no trabalho. Foi encontrada associação estatisticamente significante entre classificação audiológica alterada (e as duas questões de autopercepção de perda auditiva. Conclusão: Ocorreram perdas auditiva sugestivas de PAIR em 40% dos policiais militares. O incômodo, o estresse, a dificuldade para se comunicar e a presença de perda auditiva foram estatisticamente associados com o ruído no ambiente de trabalho e com diversos efeitos na saúde, decorrentes dessa exposição. A consistência interna (confiabilidade) do instrumento foi considerada excelente

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T18:12:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maira Pietraroia Nelli.pdf: 1803366 bytes, checksum: a389dd389819df4c02c6e80b8e09face (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-25 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Continuous noise exposure can cause auditory and non-auditory effects, such as: annoyance, irritability, stress, fatigue, headaches, and lack of attention, among others. Besides noise, several chemicals in the workplace may cause deleterious health effects. Objective: Study auditory effects and noise annoyance among sugarcane industry workers exposed to noise and chemicals. Method: The sample consisted of 120 male workers of sugarcane industry divided into four groups: Control Group (C), 30 workers non exposed; Chemical Group (Q), 30 workers exposed to herbicide, but not to noise; Noise Group (R ), 30 workers exposed to noise, but not to chemicals, and Noise and Chemical Group (RQ), 30 workers exposed to noise and chemicals. The procedures included pure tone audiometry, interview and a questionnaire (based on Ferreira, 2013). The statistical analysis was performed in several steps. For selected variable, the chi-square test of homogeneity was applied and the level of significance adopted was 5% in each test. In the end, the internal consistency analysis (reliability) of the questionnaire was performed through Cronbach´s (alpha). Results: The occurrence of hearing loss was significantly higher in the R and RQ groups (33,33% respectively). These same groups were those who considered their workplace noisy (over 50% of individuals chose response category repeatedly / always). The RQ group reported noise annoyance complaint in higher percentage (73.33%). Irritation, headache and fatigue were the symptoms of noise exposure, with greater significance in the C group (13,34%, 23,33% and 6,66%), R (16,67%, 6,67% e 13,33%), RQ (36,67%, 23,66% and 43,33%). In the four groups, the effects such as: hearing loss, stress, irritability, headache and fatigue were statistically significant in recognition of what noise may cause. With the exception of the C group, 70% of individuals of the other three groups believe that educational actions and exchange or maintenance of the equipment can improve the noise conditions in the workplace. Conclusion: Hearing loss was statistically significant in the R and the RQ groups. Most of the R and the RQ group think that their workplace is noisy, however only the RQ group complains of noise annoyance. It was evident that the most significant auditory and non-auditory complaints are from the R and the RQ groups. Internal consistency (reliability) of the questionnaire used in this study was excellent / A exposição continuada a ruído pode gerar tanto efeitos auditivos, quanto não auditivos, a saber: incômodo, irritabilidade, estresse, cansaço, dores de cabeça e falta de atenção, dentre outros. Além do ruído, diversos produtos químicos presentes nos ambientes de trabalho podem provocar efeitos deletérios à saúde dos trabalhadores. Objetivo: Estudar os efeitos auditivos e o incômodo em trabalhadores do setor canavieiro, expostos à ruído e produtos químicos. Método: A amostra foi constituída por 120 trabalhadores do setor canavieiro, todos do sexo masculino. A amostra foi dividida em quatro grupos: Grupo Controle (C),30 trabalhadores sem exposição a ruído e produtos químicos; Grupo Químico (Q) , 30 trabalhadores expostos à herbicida e não a ruído; Grupo Ruído (R) , 30 trabalhadores expostos à ruído mas não a produtos químicos e Grupo Ruído e Químico (RQ), 30 trabalhadores expostos a ruído e produtos químicos. Os procedimentos incluíram a audiometria tonal, anamnese e aplicação de um questionário de incômodo decorrente da exposição a ruído (baseado em Ferreira, 2013). A análise estatística foi realizada em várias etapas, com o objetivo de comparar os resultados entre os quatro grupos. Para as variáveis selecionadas, foi aplicada o teste qui-quadrado de homogeneidade e nível de significância adotado em cada teste foi de 5%. No final, foi realizada a análise da consistência interna (confiabilidade) do questionário, por meio do teste Alpha de Cronbach. Resultados: A ocorrência de perdas auditivas foi significantemente maior nos grupos R e RQ (33,33% respectivamente). Os mesmos grupos foram os que consideraram seu ambiente de trabalho ruidoso (mais de 50% dos indivíduos escolheram a categoria de resposta repetidamente/sempre). A queixa de incômodo ao ruído foi relata em maior porcentagem pelo grupo RQ (73.33%). Irritação, Dor de Cabeça e Cansaço foram os sintomas decorrentes da exposição ao ruído mais relatados nos grupos C (13,34%, 23,33% e 6,66%), R (16,67%, 6,67% e 13,33%) , RQ (36,67%, 23,66% e 43,33%). Os quatro grupos reconheceram, com significância estatística, os seguintes efeitos que o ruído pode ocasionar à saúde: alteração auditiva, estresse, irritabilidade, dor de cabeça e cansaço. Com exceção do grupo C, 70% dos sujeitos dos sujeitos dos outros três grupos acreditam que com ações educativas e troca ou manutenção dos equipamentos podem melhorar as condições do ruído do ambiente de trabalho. Conclusões: A ocorrência de perda auditiva foi estatisticamente significante nos grupos R e RQ. A maioria do grupo R e RQ acha seu local de trabalho ruidoso, porem apenas o grupo RQ queixa-se do incomodo decorrente do ruído. Ficou evidente que as maiores ocorrências de queixas auditivas e não auditivas foram no grupo R e RQ. A consistência interna do questionário (confiabilidade) utilizado na presente pesquisa foi excelente

Previous literature has demonstrated that supplemental magnesium may have a prophylactic effect on noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). The purpose of this study was to replicate the findings of a previous investigation concerning the beneficial effects of supplemental magnesium on TTS in humans. Forty participants with normal hearing were divided into two groups, experimental and control. The experimental group received a single, 150 mg dose of supplemental magnesium and the control group received a placebo. After an hour in a quiet environment, all participants were exposed to a narrowband noise centered at 2000 Hz and presented at 105 dB SPL. Audiometric thresholds were measured for the frequency range 250 Hz - 8000 Hz prior to the noise exposure, and then immediately, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes post-noise exposure. Both groups experienced TTS at and above 2000 Hz. The largest TTS was observed immediately following the noise exposure in both groups. There was no significant difference in TTS between the experimental group and the control group. It was concluded that a single dose of 150 mg of supplemental magnesium was not effective in reducing or preventing TTS.

Previous studies have shown that supplemental magnesium administered prior to exposure to noise has an alleviating effect on temporary threshold shift (TTS). These studies have only used audiometric thresholds to demonstrate changes in the auditory system. However, to help determine the effects on outer hair cells (OHCs), a more sensitive measure should be used. The purpose of this study was to determine if supplemental magnesium administration prior to noise exposure has a beneficial effect on acoustic overexposure using a double-blind research design. This was determined by measuring distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) to determine any changes in cochlear OHC function. DPOAE amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurements were analyzed for two groups of twenty participants (an experimental group and a control group). The experimental group received 150 mg of magnesium gluconate one hour prior to noise exposure. The control group received a placebo pill that was identical in appearance to the magnesium pill. Following noise exposure, the greatest changes in DPOAE amplitude and SNR occurred for the frequencies that were one-half to one octave above the frequency of the stimuli used. The greatest changes in DPOAE measurements were present immediately post TTS-inducing stimulus, with only slight changes present after 30 minutes and no difference between 30 minutes and 60 minutes post-exposure. These results were the same for both groups. It was concluded that this dosage of supplemental magnesium had no apparent protective effect on DPOAEs following intense noise exposure.

A hearing impairment is primarily diagnosed by measuring the hearing thresholds at a range of auditory frequencies (air-conduction audiometry). Although this clinical procedure is simple, affordable, reliable and fast, it does not offer differential information about origins of the hearing impairment. The main goal of this thesis is to quantitatively link specific cochlear pathologies to certain changes in the spectral and temporal characteristics of the auditory system. This can help better understand the underlying mechanisms associated with sensorineural hearing impairments, beyond what is shown in the audiogram. Here, an electromechanical signal-transmission model is devised in MATLAB where the parameters of the model convey biological interpretations of mammalian cochlear structures. The model is exploited to simulate the cell-level cochlear pathologies associated with two common types of sensorineural hearing impairments, 1: presbyacusis (age-related hearing impairment) and, 2: noise-induced hearing impairment. Furthermore, a clinical study, consisting of different psychoacoustic and physiological tests, was performed to trace and validate the model predictions in human. The results of the clinical tests were collated and compared with the model predictions, showing a reasonable agreement. In summary, the present model provides a biophysical foundation for simulating the effect of specific cellular lesions, due to different inner-ear diseases and external insults, on the entire cochlear mechanism and thereby on the whole auditory system. This is a multidisciplinary work in the sense that it connects the ‘biological processes’ with ‘acoustic modelling’ and ‘clinical audiology’ in a translational context.