Noise induced hearing loss has been extensively researched and commented on, yet it remains prevalent among industrial workers. The real-world attenuation properties of the Noise Clipper® custom-made hearing protection device and the comfort levels it afford are unknown. Furthermore, research in hearing conservation is seldom focused on the critical/biological thresholds for temporary threshold shift. Field studies on hearing protection devices have demonstrated that laboratory derived measures bear little relation to attenuation achieved in workers. Research has consistently demonstrated that noise reduction ratings that are derived from the laboratory real-ear-at-threshold method do not accurately represent the attenuation of noise that these devices actually provide and the matter remains unclear. Too many important variables are neglected in current real-ear-atthreshold evaluation protocols. This study used an alternative method, the microphone-inreal- ear approach where a dual-element microphone probe was inserted into the Noise Clipper® to measure noise reduction by recording the difference in noise levels outside and behind the device. The sub aims of the study were to record ambient noise levels and frequency spectra; to determine the attenuation characteristics; and to compare the attenuation thresholds to biological thresholds for temporary threshold shift. Using this protocol, measurements were made on 20 subjects in real world situations in order to match the attenuation characteristics of the Noise Clipper® to the actual noise exposure. The microphone-in-real-ear derived attenuation thresholds were compared to the real-earat- threshold values provided by the manufacturer of the Noise Clipper®. Additional subaims were to determine the comfort levels of the Noise Clipper® and record the selfreported wearing time of the device. Wearing comfort was evaluated using a bipolar rating scale. The researcher interviewed 240 mine workers at a platinum mine. Several comfort related sub-scales were used to quantify reported comfort levels. Simultaneously, usage time of the device was self-reported by each worker. Results of the microphone-in-real-ear measurements indicated that ambient noise levels fluctuated from day to day. The attenuation results indicated that most of the measurements suggested protection against noise induced hearing loss through the use of the Noise Clipper®. It was found that the REAT results over estimated the attenuation ability of the Noise Clipper® when compared to the results of the F-MIRE measurements. Eighty seven percent of the measurements indicated protection from thresholds below the biological threshold for temporary threshold shift. Seventy five percent of the workers indicated that the Noise Clipper® was comfortable to wear and 79% indicated that they used it for a full eight hour shift. The results provide an opportunity to assess the use of a protection device and its effectiveness among mineworkers combined with information regarding noise exposure levels. The findings highlight the importance of evaluating variability in terms of individual-specific protection. / Dissertation (MCommunication Pathology)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / unrestricted

Two of the primary occupational health threats to employees in the mining industry are noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and occupational lung diseases (OLD) with Tuberculosis (TB) included in the latter. The objective of this study was to investigate the hearing profile of a group of gold miners with and without TB to determine the effect of TB and its associated risk profile on hearing. Workers in AngloGold Ashanti mine in South Africa were recruited due to the fact that they present with these two health threats namely NIHL and TB. The audiological and medical surveillance data of 2698 subjects (between the years 2001 and 2009) were used in analyses. Hearing thresholds for the air conduction frequencies (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 KHz) in both ears were analysed in conjunction with biographic and occupational data. Subjects were divided into three groups, two experimental groups (Single TB treatment, n= 911 and Multiple TB treatment, n= 376) and one control group (n= 1411). A highly significant difference (p<0.01) was noted between the control group and both TB treatment groups across most frequencies and hearing parameters analysed, although the higher frequencies were more affected. Pair wise comparisons revealed the largest differences in hearing thresholds throughout between the control group and the multiple TB treatment groups. The smallest differences in hearing thresholds were evident between the two TB groups with the multiple TB treatment group presenting with the poorest thresholds. TB and its related risk profile had a pronounced influence on the decline of hearing thresholds. Thresholds for the multiple TB treatment group indicated more deterioration than the hearing thresholds of the single TB treatment group. This may point to the possibility that the influence of repeated TB on the subjects’ hearing thresholds over time was more pronounced than a single incidence of TB. It is still necessary however to separate the effects of the disease from the effects of the treatment on hearing. / Dissertation (MCommunication Pathology)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / Unrestricted

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Much research has gone into noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and the effects of high intensity noise levels on the hearing mechanism of individuals. A study by the National Institutes of Health has established that high intensity sounds can cause hearing damage of either a temporary, or worse, a permanent nature; regardless of the age of the person. While sound levels below 75 decibels are considered comparatively harmless and have been found not to cause any kind of permanent hearing loss; sound levels greater than 85 decibels and regular exposure of approximately 8 hours per day, on an average, has been found to cause permanent loss of hearing (Bulla, 2003). The purpose of this research study was to assess excessive noise exposure of music-oriented nightclub employees, with music playing. Two employees were used as candidates for the purpose of this study, which was conducted on three days during a work week. Data on personal noise exposure was collected using personal noise dosimeters on a server and a promoter. For purposes of the study, a sound level meter was used to collect the noise levels in the working area, and prepare a sound map. The study was conducted in a nightclub in Tampa, Florida, with music playing. Data was collected on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. In total, the data was collected over six sampling nights. The data on noise levels was collected for both personal noise data levels and area noise levels during the period of study. In addition to the personal dosimeters, a sound level meter was also used for data collection. The results of this study indicate that noise levels were highest on nights with live entertainment. The days with performance of live entertainment were random and followed no particular order. The highest TWA noise exposure of 97.3 dB, for the server, occurred on Saturday, when a live entertainer performed in the establishment. The highest TWA noise exposure of 94.3 dB, for the promoter, occurred on Wednesday. Using the OSHA PEL and OSHA Hearing Conversation measurement methods, the server was exposed to excessive noise levels, greater than 85 dBA, on every night of the study (6 nights), while the promoter had three exposures that were greater than 90 dBA, using the OSHA PEL method, and exposures greater than 85 dBA on every night of the study, using the OSHA Hearing Conservation method. However, using the ACGIH measurement method, both the Server and the Promoter were exposed to excessive noise levels every night of the study (six nights).

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T18:12:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cristiane Bolzachini Santoni.pdf: 934977 bytes, checksum: bee3fb27cb9f3fae28c2855452c296e7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-02-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate hearing and assess the satisfaction provided by the use hearing protectors in pop-rock musicians. Background: Studies have shown evidences of the risk of pop-rock musicians to develop hearing loss and other symptoms related to amplified music, as well as to adopt preventive measurements to protect their hearing. Method: It was evaluated 24 pop-rock musicians, male gender and ages between 25 to 45 years old, with professional experience between 3 to 21 years. It was accomplished: anamnesis, audiometric evaluation, transient otoacoustic emission (TEOAE), distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) and also was applied an ear protective devices satisfaction assessment questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss was 20.8%. In normal audiograms, there was a notch in high-frequencies in 58.4%, in at least one ear. The responses of TEOAEs were absent in 45.8% of the musicians and DPOAEs were absent in 58.4%. Concerning to satisfaction with the ear protective devices usage, 75.0% of the musicians evaluated them above grade 7.0. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of hearing losses as well as alterations in TEOAEs and DPOAEs responses. Therefore, it is fundamental to develop and implement hearing loss preventive programs for musicians. There was a positive tendency towards the use of the ear protective devices / Objetivo: Avaliar a audição e o uso de protetores auditivos em músicos de bandas de pop-rock. Justificativa: Estudos demonstram evidências dos músicos de pop-rock apresentarem risco para o desenvolvimento de perda auditiva e outros efeitos associados à exposição à música amplificada, bem como a necessidade de adotar medidas de proteção à audição desses profissionais. Método: Foram avaliados 24 músicos de pop-rock, do sexo masculino, com idades entre 25 e 45 anos e com tempo de profissão entre três e 21 anos. Os sujeitos responderam a uma anamnese, realizaram avaliação audiométrica, realizaram os testes de emissões otoacústicas evocadas por estímulo transiente (EOAET) e emissões otoacústicas produto de distorção (EOAPD) e preencheram um questionário sobre a satisfação após o uso do protetor auditivo. Resultados: A prevalência de perdas auditivas sugestivas de PAIR foi de 20,8%. Dentre os audiogramas classificados como normais 58,4% apresentaram entalhe audiométrico em pelo menos uma orelha. No teste de emissões otoacústicas, 45,8% dos músicos tiveram respostas ausentes nas EOAET e 58,4% nas EOAPD. 75,0% dos músicos forneceram nota maior do que 7,0 para refletir sua satisfação no uso do protetor auditivo. Conclusões: Tanto a prevalência de perdas auditivas, quanto o número de ausências nos testes de EOAET e EOAPD foram elevados. Assim sendo, é necessária a implementação de um programa de prevenção de perdas auditivas com músicos. Houve uma tendência favorável à aceitação do protetor auditivo

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T18:12:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Beatriz Porto de Oliveira.pdf: 474978 bytes, checksum: 1771a46335085d98d54004bf1b08b747 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-02-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / INTRODUCTION: The otoacustic emissions (OAE) represents an important instrument for epidemiological surveillance of auditory alterations decurrent of noise exposition. OBJECTIVE: to study the register of OAE among two different groups of workers of a graphical industry: exposed and non-exposed to occupational noise and with regular audiometric thresholds. METHOD: Transient evoked otoacustic emissions (TEOAE) and distortion product otoacustic emissions (DPOAE) were researched in 158 ears of 79 subjects, all male, matched by two groups: exposed (42) and non-exposed to occupational noise (37). RESULTS: Among the non-exposed group was observed 54.1% of present response in both ears in TEOAE, and 24.3% have absent responses in both ears in the DPOAE test. Among the exposed group, 14.3% has presence responses in TEOAE in both ears, and 61.9% have absence in two ears. The statistical analysis indicated noise exposure effect at the percentage of presence of EOAPD in f2(s) of 2002, 5042 and 6348 Hz and in the general result both at TEOAE and at DPOAE. The present responses in non-exposed group was significantly higher than in exposed group in both tests. CONCLUSIONS: The test of otoacustic emissions was an important procedure in the early identification of auditory alterations, differentiating exposed and non-exposed subjects to occupational noise / INTRODUÇÃO: O teste de emissões otoacústicas representa um importante instrumento de vigilância epidemiológica de alterações auditivas decorrentes da exposição a ruído. OBJETIVO: estudar os registro de EOA em dois grupos de trabalhadores de uma indústria gráfica: expostos e não expostos a ruído ocupacional e com audiometrias dentro dos padrões de normalidade. MÉTODO: Foram realizadas as emissões otoacústicas por estímulo transiente (EOAET) e por produto de distorção (EOAPD) em 158 orelhas de 79 sujeitos, sendo todos do sexo masculino, divididos em dois grupos: com exposição a ruído ocupacional (42) e outro sem exposição (37). RESULTADOS: No grupo não exposto observou-se que 54,1% dos indivíduos têm EOAET presentes nas duas orelhas e 24,3% têm EOAET ausente nas duas orelhas. Já no grupo exposto, 14,3% têm EOAET presente nas duas orelhas, e 61,9% têm ausência em ambas às orelhas. As análises estatísticas indicaram efeito de exposição a ruído na porcentagem de presença de EOAPD nas f2(s) de 2002, 5042 e 6348 Hz e no resultado geral tanto nas EOAET quanto nas EOAPD. A ocorrência de respostas presentes nos não expostos foi significativamente maior que nos expostos em ambos os testes. CONCLUSÕES: O teste de emissões otoacústicas foi um importante procedimento na identificação precoce de alterações auditivas, diferenciando sujeitos expostos dos não expostos a ruído ocupacional

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T18:12:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Katarine Menezes da Costa.pdf: 751187 bytes, checksum: 2ba9c69c7533c8a417d1b3c495661634 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-05-10 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Introduction: The whole population depends direct or indirectly on public transportation for the improvement of the traffic and, with the accelerated growth of the big cities, it is only possible to supply this demand, by means of rail transportation. While performing their roles, these professionals, may present many health problems including hearing disabilities. Objective: This body of work was aimed at studying the prevalence of hearing alterations in a group of rail workers in the State of São Paulo. Method: 98 male rail workers, aged between eighteen and fifty years old and who had been working in the profession from ten to twenty-five years, were evaluated. The subjects replied to an anamnesis and the tonal audiometric were performed. The audiograms were classified according to the group criteria suggested by Fiorini (1994). Results: From the total number of exams performed, 57 subjects (58,2%)have audiograms within normal parameters (Group 1) and 41 subjects (41,8%) were classified as having audiograms that suggest Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) (Group 2). From 57 audiograms in group 1 (100%), 32 (56,1%) were classified within normal parameters, with unilateral etchings; 18 (31,6%) were classified within normal parameters, with bilateral etchings and 7 (12,3%) have shown audiograms within normal parameters. From 41 audiograms group 2 (100%), 32 (78%) have suggested bilateral NIHL and 9 (22%) have suggested unilateral NIHL, considering that the contra lateral eras have presented hearing within the normal parameters. The major hearing endangerment was found in the frequencies of 4 kHz and 6 kHz. The qualitative variables: time in the profession (0,022) and previous exposure to noise (0,046) have statistically influenced the results of the audiometric evaluation. Conclusions: The prevalence of hearing alterations within the studied population was of 41,8% and there were no statistically significant differences among the results of the audiometric evaluation and the leisure habits / Introdução: Toda população direta ou indiretamente depende dos transportes públicos para a melhoria do trânsito e, com o crescimento acelerado das grandes cidades, só e possível atender essa demanda, por intermédio do transporte ferroviário. No desemprenho de sua função estes profissionais podem apresentar diversos problemas de saúde e dentre eles, a deficiência auditiva. Objetivo: Este trabalho visa estudar a prevalência de alterações auditivas em um grupo de ferroviários do Estado de São Paulo e verificar a relação entre os resultados da avaliação audiométrica e hábitos de lazer desta população. Método: Foram avaliados 98 trabalhadores ferroviários, do sexo masculino, com idade entre 18 e 50 anos e com o tempo de profissão entre dez e 25 anos. Os sujeitos responderam a uma anamnese e realizaram uma audiometria tonal. Os audiogramas foram classificados segundo o critério de grupos sugerido por Fiorini (1994). Resultados: Do total de exames realizados, 57 sujeitos (58,2%) apresentaram audiogramas dentro dos padrões de normalidade (Grupo 1) e 41 sujeitos (41,8%) foram classificados como tendo audiogramas sugestivos de PAIR (Grupo 2). Dentre os 57 audiogramas do Grupo 1 (100%), 32 (56,1%) foram classificados como dentro dos padrões de normalidade, com entalhe unilateral; 18 (31,6%) foram classificados como dentro dos padrões de normalidade, com entalhe bilateral e 7 (12,3%) apresentaram audiograma dentro dos padrões de normalidade. Dos 41 audiogramas do Grupo 2 (100,%), 32 (78%) foram sugestivos de PAIR bilateral e 9 (22%) de PAIR unilateral, sendo que as orelhas contralaterais apresentaram audição dentro dos padrões de normalidade. O maior comprometimento auditivo foi encontrado nas frequências de 4 kHz e 6kHz. As variáveis qualitativas: tempo de profissão (0,022) e exposição anterior a ruído (0,046) influenciaram estatisticamente os resultados da avaliação audiométrica. Conclusões: A prevalência de alterações auditivas na população estudada foi de 41,8% e não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os resultados da avaliação audiométrica e os hábitos de lazer