MPH, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2006

Noise exposure is a common hazard to workforce in general although at varying degrees depending on the occupation, as many workers are exposed for long periods of time to potentially hazardous noise. Every year, twenty-two million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work. In 2015 U.S. businesses paid over $1.5 million in penalties for not protecting workers from noise. (OSHA, 2016). There may be a direct or indirect consequence of the possibilities of overexposure to noise notwithstanding the compulsory hearing protection requests for the occupations with potential hazards, and these exposures usually arise from the various types of heavy repair equipment and tools related to the job functions. In the United States ten million people have noise related hearing loss (CDC, 2016) and damage done to the ear is not noticed until earing diminishes significantly. One of the noisiest occupations there are include the flight ground crews and flight maintenance personnel otherwise categorized as Ground Operation Workers. These categories of workers have varying functions in the noisiest area at the ramp, and this exposes them to noise that could lead to hearing impairment or permanent ear damage. This study was focused on workers on the ramps at the international airport of a large US city. These workers also are known as ground handling staff, and these employees perform different tasks on the airline ramp, which include unloading luggage from the airline, picking up and moving luggage from the belt room, and to loading baggage onto the airline. This study was conducted using personal dosimeters which were calibrated before and after each sampling event out on four different employees over a period of four days and the collected data were downloaded to a personal computer for further analysis. From the results of this study, the highest noise exposures occurred on a ground operation worker 3 (GOW3) with an 8-hr TWA exposure of 85.6 dBA using OSHA PEL measurement specifications and this occurred on the fourth day of sampling which was a Saturday. The second highest exposure occurred on ground operation worker 1 (GOW1) on the fourth day with an 8-hr TWA exposure of 85.0 dBA. For ground operations worker 2 (GOW2) and ground operation worker 4 (GOW4), the highest exposure occurred on the second day with 79.8 dBA and 73.4 dBA as their time weighted averages, respectively. None of the workers exposures exceeded the OSHA permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA. The United States Navy uses the OSHA noise standard to evaluate noise exposure on ships and all Navy installations. According to University of South Florida institutional review Board, this study is categorized as a program evaluation that has no intervention with human subjects. The workers that participated in this study did so voluntarily.

Orientador: Ricardo Carlos Cordeiro / Resumo: Verificar a associação entre PAIR e a queixa de zumbido em trabalhadores expostos ao ruído ocupacional. Método: Foram entrevistados e avaliados trabalhadores com histórico de exposição ao ruído ocupacional atendidos me dois ambulatórios de audiologia. Estudou-se a existência de associação entre PAIR e a ocorrência de zumbido por intermédio do ajuste de um modelo de regressão logística tendo como variável dependente o zumbido e como variável independente a PAIR, classificada em 6 graus, controlada pela covariável idade. Resultados: Os dados foram coletados entre os meses de abril e outubro de 2004, na cidade de Bauru, Estado de São Paulo, contemplando 284 trabalhadores. Estimou-se que a prevalência de zumbido aumenta de acordo com a evolução do dano auditivo, controlado para a idade. Discussão: Justifica-se o investimento em programas de conservação auditiva particularmente voltados para o controle da emissão de ruídos na fonte e para a intervenção na evolução das perdas auditivas geradas pela exposição ao ruído objetivando não apenas a manutenção da saúde auditiva, mas também a diminuição dos sintomas associados. / Abstract: To study the association between noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus in workers exposed to occupational noise. Method: Workers attending with history of work noise exposure were interviewed and evalueted at two audiology outpatient clinics. The association between NIHL and tinnitus was studied using an adjusted linear regression model with tinnitus as the dependent and NIHL the independent variable and classified into six levels, with age as a controlling co-variable. Results: Data were collected from284 workers between April and October 2003 in Bauru, São Paulo State. Tinnitus was seen to increase with evolution of auditory damage, controlled by age. Discussion: Investment is needed in hearing conservation programs, especially for controlling noise emission at source and for intervention in hearing loss evolution caused bu noise exposure, not just in maintaining auditory health, but also reducing associated symptoms. / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T18:12:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Aidilma Silva Ferreira.pdf: 1574476 bytes, checksum: 6b240b6332f8c9109f21e4896d438d70 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-31 / Noise is an important public health problem. Hospitals, that should provide adequate conditions for acoustic comfort to its patients and employees, are not considered quiet environments, which can bring harm to their health. Objective. To verify the newborn assistance health professionals exposure to occupational noise and to investigate their auditory and non-auditory complaints. Method. The sample consisted of 34 nursing technicians and 32 nursing assistants, all female. The age ranged from 24 to 56 years, with a mean of 37.4. The study of the noise perception was performed using a questionnaire. Sound levels were measured by noise dosimetries on employees during their working hours in day and night shifts. Two Wed007 type 2 dosimeters of the 01dB trademark were used. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test to assess the relations between the variables. Results. Most professionals considered the environment to be noisy (98.4%) and believed they, somehow, contributed to ambient noise. The main noise sources reported were equipment and monitoring alarms and people talking. The discomfort, stress, fatigue and irritability were complaints that affected the professionals in a greater degree because of the sense of ambient noise. Statistically significant associations (p <0.05) with stress, fatigue and discomfort in individuals who had the perception that the environment was noisy were found. Professionals who felt more stressed because of the environmental noise perception believed that the noise interfered with their work efficiency (p = 0.002) and thinking (p = 0.010), and reported to be very or extremely annoyed by noise (p = 0.000), bad mood (p = 0.000) and irritability (p = 0.000), being harder to understand others speech (p = 0.000). The most common effects were headache and sensitivity to loud noise. LAeq levels ranged from 70.3 dB (A) to 82.5 dB (A). The minimum levels were in the range of 42.3 dB (A) and 55 dB (A). The maximum levels ranged from 81.3 dB (A) to 94.2 dB (A). Conclusions. Sound levels were higher than those recommended by the acoustic comfort standards. Important statistical associations between the noisy environment and the professionals health complaints were found. The noise can affect oral communication aspects and workers task performance / O ruído representa um importante problema de saúde pública. Os hospitais, que deveriam fornecer adequadas condições de conforto acústico aos seus pacientes e funcionários, não são considerados ambientes silenciosos, o que pode trazer prejuízo à saúde destes. Objetivo. Verificar a exposição a ruído ocupacional da equipe de profissionais de saúde que atua em setores de assistência a recém-nascido e investigar suas queixas auditivas e não auditivas. Método. A amostra foi composta por 34 técnicas de enfermagem e 32 auxiliares de enfermagem, todas do sexo feminino. A idade variou de 24 a 56 anos, sendo a média igual a 37,4. O estudo da percepção do ruído foi realizado por meio da aplicação de um questionário. Os níveis sonoros foram medidos por meio de dosimetrias de ruído nos funcionários durante a jornada de trabalho, nos turnos diurno e noturno. Foram utilizados dois dosímetros do tipo 2, modelo Wed007, marca 01dB. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio de teste qui-quadrado, para verificar as associações entre as variáveis de estudo. Resultados. A maioria dos profissionais considerou o ambiente ruidoso (98,4%) e acredita que contribui com o barulho. As principais fontes de ruído relatadas foram os equipamentos e alarmes de monitoramento e as pessoas conversando. O incômodo, o estresse, o cansaço e a irritabilidade foram as queixas que afetaram os profissionais em maior grau devido à sensação do ruído ambiente, sendo encontradas associações estatisticamente significantes (p<0,05) com o estresse, o incômodo e o cansaço em indivíduos que tinham a percepção de que o ambiente é barulhento. Os profissionais que se sentiam mais estressados pela percepção do ruído do ambiente acreditavam que o ruído atrapalhava sua eficiência no trabalho (p=0,002) e o raciocínio (p=0,010), bem como sentiam que o ruído incomodava bastante ou extremamente (p=0,000), causava mau-humor (p=0,000) e irritabilidade (p=0,000), atrapalhando entender a fala dos outros (p=0,000). Os sintomas mais relatados foram cefaleia e incômodo a sons fortes. Os valores de LAeq variaram de 70,3 dB(A) a 82,5 dB(A). Os níveis mínimos se encontravam na faixa entre 42,3 dB(A) e 55 dB(A). Os níveis máximos encontrados variaram de 81,3 dB(A) a 94,2dB(A). Conclusões. Os níveis sonoros encontrados estavam acima dos recomendados pelas normas de conforto acústico. Foram encontradas importantes associações estatísticas entre o ambiente barulhento e queixas de saúde dos profissionais. O ruído pode prejudicar aspectos relacionados à comunicação oral e afetar na execução das atividades destes profissionais

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T18:12:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Priscila Silva Passos.pdf: 992274 bytes, checksum: 2538b74bf1be65c944d9a36bd2765a5d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Music is considered a pleasant sound. However, when the exposure is continued and at high levels, it can have a negative effect on people's lives, especially musicians, professional category that is systematically exposed to it. Objective: The objective of this research was to study the auditory and non-auditory effects in young musicians of a philharmonic band. Method: The study was observational, cross-sectional of inquiry type. The survey was conducted with 22 musicians of a philharmonic band of the city of Lagarto/Sergipe. The procedures included Meatoscopy, Acoustic Immitance Measurements, Tone Audiometry, Transient Evoked Otoacustic Emission (TEOAE) and Distortion Product (DPOAE) and application of the Nuisance Questionnaire related to noise. Results: The study included 22 musicians, being 72.73% male and 27.27% female. The average age was 17.41 years old (± 3.20) and the average length of experience as a musician was 59.09 months (± 36.78). Regarding the time in the band, the average was 50.77 months (± 39.86). Most musicians believe that the rehearsal room is noisy and 72.73% classified the intensity as moderate. Among the respondents, 59.09% think that the noise in their rehearsal environment can harm the musicians. 72.73% of the musicians feel uncomfortable with the sound of an instrument, the most reported are trumpet and percussion. Most of them believe that environment noises hinder communication with others; the main complaints were intolerance to intense sounds (59.09%) and tinnitus (36.36%). All subjects presented auditory thresholds within normal patterns. However, in the right ear, it was observed 5 notches (22.72%) and 10 in the left (45.44%). In general, TEOAE and DPOAE were present, but, 2 musicians (9.09%) had absence of TEOAE in the right ear in at least one of the frequency bands and in the left, that fact occurred in 4 musicians (18.18%). In the DPOAE, it was found out an absence of emissions in 6 musicians (27.27%), in, at least, one frequency, in both ears. Conclusion: Despite the young sample and normal auditory thresholds, we observed significant hearing complaints and some changes in otoacoustic emissions tests, which demonstrate the importance of research with musicians in this age group / A música é considerada um som agradável. No entanto, quando a exposição é continuada e em níveis elevados, pode interferir negativamente na vida das pessoas, principalmente de músicos, categoria profissional sistematicamente exposta a ela. Objetivo: O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estudar os efeitos auditivos e não auditivos em músicos jovens de uma banda filarmônica. Método: O estudo foi observacional, do tipo transversal de inquérito. A pesquisa foi realizada com 22 músicos de uma banda Filarmônica do município de Lagarto/SE. Os procedimentos incluíram Meatoscopia, Medidas de imitância acústica, Audiometria tonal, Emissões Otoacústicas evocadas por estímulo transiente (EOAT) e produto de distorção (EOAPD) e aplicação do Questionário de Incômodo relacionado ao ruído. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 22 músicos sendo 72,73% do sexo masculino e 27,27% do sexo feminino. A média de idade foi de 17,41 anos (±3,20) e a média do tempo de experiência como músico foi de 59,09 meses (± 36,78). Quanto ao tempo na banda, a média foi de 50,77 meses (± 39,86). A maioria dos músicos acredita que a sala de ensaios é ruidosa e 72,73% classificou a intensidade como moderada. Dentre os entrevistados, 59,09% acham que o ruído no seu ambiente de ensaio pode prejudicar os músicos. 72,73% dos músicos sentem-se incomodados com o som de algum instrumento, sendo os mais relatados: Trompete e percussão. A maioria deles acredita que o ruído do ambiente dificulta a comunicação com os outros; As principais queixas foram intolerância a sons intensos (59,09%) e zumbido (36,36%). Todos os indivíduos apresentaram limiares auditivos dentro dos padrões de normalidade. Entretanto, na orelha direita, foram observados 5 entalhes (22,72%) e na esquerda 10 (45,44%). Em geral, as EOAT e EOAPD foram presentes, porém, 2 músicos (9,09%) tiveram ausência de EOAET na OD em pelo menos uma das bandas de frequência e na OE esse fato ocorreu em 4 músicos (18,18%). Na EOADP constatou-se ausência de emissões em 6 músicos (27,27%) em pelo menos uma frequência, em ambas as orelhas. Conclusão: Apesar da amostra jovem e dos limiares auditivos normais, foi possível observar queixas auditivas importantes e algumas alterações nos testes de emissões otoacústicas, o que demonstra a importância de investigações com músicos nesta faixa etária

The purpose of this project was to evaluate noise exposures of helicopter pilots, nurses and paramedics at a hospital by collecting area and personal samples, determining noise levels inside the helmet, and evaluating the current selection of personal protective equipment (PPE). Measurements gathered during personal sampling were statistically analyzed and calculated using OSHA 1910.95 App A to determine dose, reference duration and the Time-Weighted Average (TWA). Using a mannequin head, with the noise dosimeters in the ears, tests were performed on the headset inside the helmets to determine the sound pressure levels generated from the radio communications at different volume levels. According to our results, the crew is not exposed to hearing levels above the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL), because their flight times are usually only 20-30 minutes and the dose not above 22% of the OSHA limit. If the total flight times were 6.5 hours or more, the crew could be above the OSHA PEL. Testing the helmet speakers resulted in a recommendation that the setting not be set above the 6 o'clock position so that the crew would not be exposed to sound pressure levels about 80 dBA

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2004Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:38:57Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 dias_a_me_botfm.pdf: 225371 bytes, checksum: 5683d13d21fc4540666dc05f73c4a5ca (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Verificar a associação entre PAIR e a queixa de zumbido em trabalhadores expostos ao ruído ocupacional. Método: Foram entrevistados e avaliados trabalhadores com histórico de exposição ao ruído ocupacional atendidos me dois ambulatórios de audiologia. Estudou-se a existência de associação entre PAIR e a ocorrência de zumbido por intermédio do ajuste de um modelo de regressão logística tendo como variável dependente o zumbido e como variável independente a PAIR, classificada em 6 graus, controlada pela covariável idade. Resultados: Os dados foram coletados entre os meses de abril e outubro de 2004, na cidade de Bauru, Estado de São Paulo, contemplando 284 trabalhadores. Estimou-se que a prevalência de zumbido aumenta de acordo com a evolução do dano auditivo, controlado para a idade. Discussão: Justifica-se o investimento em programas de conservação auditiva particularmente voltados para o controle da emissão de ruídos na fonte e para a intervenção na evolução das perdas auditivas geradas pela exposição ao ruído objetivando não apenas a manutenção da saúde auditiva, mas também a diminuição dos sintomas associados. / To study the association between noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus in workers exposed to occupational noise. Method: Workers attending with history of work noise exposure were interviewed and evalueted at two audiology outpatient clinics. The association between NIHL and tinnitus was studied using an adjusted linear regression model with tinnitus as the dependent and NIHL the independent variable and classified into six levels, with age as a controlling co-variable. Results: Data were collected from284 workers between April and October 2003 in Bauru, São Paulo State. Tinnitus was seen to increase with evolution of auditory damage, controlled by age. Discussion: Investment is needed in hearing conservation programs, especially for controlling noise emission at source and for intervention in hearing loss evolution caused bu noise exposure, not just in maintaining auditory health, but also reducing associated symptoms.

Every year, twenty-two million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work. Last year, U.S. businesses paid more than $1.5 million in penalties for not protecting workers from noise. (OSHA, 2016). In the United States ten million people have some kind of noise related hearing loss (CDC, 2016) and noise damage to the ear may not be detected until it is great enough to cause hearing impairment. Grounds keeper’s functions consist of a variety of activities that require the use of powered tools such as mowers, riding mowers, leaf blowers, pressure washers, trimmers/edgers and chainsaws. OSHA has stated that “noise is a potential hazard for most jobs that involve abrasive or high-power machinery, impact of rapidly moving parts (product or machinery), or power tools”. (OSHA, 2016) in addition to this, their job is mostly outdoors exposing them to the added noise of traffic, construction and people. The purpose of this research study was to obtain occupational noise exposure data for groundskeepers who use powered equipment to do their job. The groundskeepers who participated in this research study were volunteers and worked in a University campus in the State of Florida. Personal noise dosimeters were used to collect the data in this study. Exposure information was collected over 6 days for 8-hour work shifts during the summer months of the year. Dosimetry was done on a maximum of five groundskeepers per monitoring day, ranging from 1 to 5 employees per day depending on availability. Results of this study indicate that the highest noise exposures occurred on groundskeepers in charge of mowing by means of a riding mower. Results of this study indicate that the highest 8-hr TWA noise exposure for the groundskeepers (GK) 1 and 2 occurred the first day of testing which was a Monday. Using the OSHA PEL measurement method GK1 exposure was 98.5 dBA, GK2 was 97.6 dBA. Using the same measurement method the highest exposure to GK3: 89.2 dBA, occurred on day five of the assessment. For GK4 the highest exposure occurred on the third day of testing with an exposure measurement of 86.1 dBA. GK5 was only assessed one day and his exposure measured at 84.5 dBA. GK6 AND GK7 were evaluated two days and their highest exposures measured at GK6: 89.3 dBA and GK7: 85.7 dBA. Using the OSHA Hearing Conversation Act measurement method, GK1 was exposed to excessive noise levels (>85 dBA as an 8-hr TWA) on five days of the six day assessment period. GK2 was exposed to hazardous noise levels on all four days he was assessed. GK3 and GK4 exceeded the OSHA HCA standard one of the two days they were monitored. GK 5 did not have noise exposure levels above 85 dBA on the day he volunteered for monitoring. GK6 had exposures over 85 dBA on both days he volunteered to be monitored. Finally, GK7 exceeded the 85 dBA limit on one of the two days they volunteered for this study.

Orientador: Reinaldo Jordão Gusmão / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-28T02:13:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Duarte_AlexandreScalliMathias_M.pdf: 1456659 bytes, checksum: 02d867305f679922c5ce3ca16dccc79a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: Introdução: O ruído é considerado a terceira maior causa de poluição ambiental e pode ser visto como um risco de agravo à saúde. A Organização Mundial da Saúde estima que 10% da população mundial está exposta a níveis elevados de pressão sonora potencialmente lesivos. Torna-se mais problemático quando se trata de ruído no ambiente de trabalho. A exposição ao ruído, ocupacional ou não, pode acarretar alterações auditivas (hipoacusia, zumbido, dificuldade de compreensão da fala e hiperacusia) e não auditivas (irritação, distúrbios do sono, doenças cardiovasculares, dentre outros). Quando é intenso e a exposição a ele é continuada, podem surgir alterações estruturais na orelha interna, que determinam a ocorrência da Perda Auditiva Induzida por Ruído. O mecanismo de lesão do órgão espiral ocorre na espira basal da cóclea, área responsável pelo som de frequências altas. Objetivos: Avaliar as médias aritméticas dos limiares auditivos tonais das frequências 3, 4 e 6 kHz de trabalhadores de setores industriais diversos e relacioná-las com o tempo de exposição ao ruído e diferentes tipos de trabalho. Metodologia: Foram calculadas as médias aritméticas das frequências audiométricas de 3, 4 e 6 kHz para cada orelha de 2.140 exames audiométricos e verificado suas relações com o tempo de exposição ao ruído, idade e categorias de trabalho. Conclusões: Houve piora significativa das médias aritméticas em 3, 4 e 6 kHz nos quatro grupos, por tempo de exposição, em todas as categorias profissionais analisadas. As médias aritméticas, dos limiares tonais das frequências 3, 4 e 6 kHz, em decibéis, podem ser consideradas úteis para análise de lesões cocleares relacionadas com a exposição contínua a ruído. Na comparação entre as diferentes categorias profissionais, foram observadas diferenças significativas das médias aritméticas em 3, 4 e 6 kHz apenas entre transportadores de cargas e os trabalhadores das demais categorias. A orelha esquerda apresentou limiares audiométricos piores do que a direita, em todas as avaliações, independentemente da categoria profissional / Abstract: Introduction: Noise is considered the third largest cause of environmental pollution and can be seen as a risk to health conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 10% of the world population is exposed to high levels of potentially harmful sound pressure. It becomes more problematic when it comes to noise in the working environment. Exposure to noise, occupational or not, can cause hearing disorders (hearing loss, tinnitus, difficulty in speech understanding and hyperacusis) and not hearing disorders (irritation, sleep disorders, cardiovascular diseases and others). When intense and exposure to it is continued, there may be structural changes in the inner ear, which determine the occurrence of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. The spiral organ injury mechanism occurs in the basal turn of the cochlea, area responsible for the sound of high frequencies. Objectives: To assess the arithmetic average of audiometric pure tone thresholds in frequencies 3, 4 and 6 kHz of various industrial sectors workers and relating them to the time of exposure to noise and different types of work. Methods: We calculated the arithmetic means of audiometric frequencies of 3, 4 and 6 kHz for each ear of 2.140 audiometry and verified its relations with the noise exposure time, age and job categories. Conclusions: There was a significant worsening of the arithmetic averages in 3, 4 and 6 kHz in the four groups, exposure time, in all occupational categories analyzed. The averages, of pure tone thresholds of frequencies 3, 4 and 6 kHz, in decibels, can be considered useful for analysis of cochlear injury related to continuous exposure to noise. Comparing the different professional categories, significant differences of arithmetic means were observed in 3, 4 and 6 kHz only between carriers of cargo and workers in other categories. The left ear had audiometric thresholds worse than the right, in all evaluations regardless of profession / Mestrado / Otorrinolaringologia / Mestre em Ciências Médicas

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