Prevalence of Workers With Shifts in Hearing by Industry

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of workers with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health significant threshold shifts (NSTS), Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard threshold shifts (OSTS), and with OSTS with age correction (OSTS-A), by industry using North American Industry Classification System codes. Methods 2001-2010 worker audiograms were examined. Prevalence and adjusted prevalence ratios for NSTS were estimated by industry. NSTS, OSTS and OSTS-A prevalences were compared by industry. Results 20% of workers had an NSTS, 14% had an OSTS and 6% had an OSTS-A. For most industries, the OSTS and OSTS-A criteria identified 28-36% and 66-74% fewer workers than the NSTS criteria, respectively. Conclusions Use of NSTS criteria allowing for earlier detection of shifts in hearing is recommended for improved prevention of occupational hearing loss.

Work-Related Noise Exposure in a Cohort of Patients with Chronic Tinnitus: Analysis of Demographic and Audiological Characteristics

“…Among individuals with chronic tinnitus, hearing thresholds were significantly worse in patients in the HIGH-RISK group compared to those in the LOW-RISK group. This finding is in accordance with the literature [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 68 , 70 , 74 , 88 ]. Our results showed a worse, although not significant, hearing threshold for high frequencies in the left ear compared to the right among individuals in the HIGH-RISK group; no side difference was found in the LOW-RISK group.…”

“…The association between hearing loss, tinnitus and occupation has been previously demonstrated [ 34 , 43 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. The aim of this study was to survey patients with chronic tinnitus with and without a history of long-term work-related noise exposure, comparing demographic variables, tinnitus and hearing loss characteristics and self-administered questionnaire responses for tinnitus, hearing loss and hyperacusis.…”

“…A limitation of this study is the lack of information about the loudness of noise exposure and about the degree to which workplace prophylaxis might have been used to mitigate the work-related hazard for individuals included in the study. However, assignment to the HIGH-RISK or LOW-RISK groups was done according to extensive evidence reported in large demographical studies [ 5 , 34 , 38 , 43 ] and recommended by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).…”

“…Based on working history, patients were divided into two groups: patients with tinnitus and a history of employment in one of the professions associated with an increased exposure to occupationally-acquired noise-induced hearing loss (HIGH-RISK, n = 68) and patients with tinnitus and a history of employment in industries and occupations reported to have lower risks for hearing impairment (LOW-RISK, n = 68). Patients were included in the HIGH-RISK group if they had a history of employment in one of the following professions: armed forces [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ], carpenters [ 36 , 38 , 43 ], manufacturing workers [ 5 , 34 , 35 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ], drivers [ 5 , 34 , 38 , 43 , 47 , 48 ], miners [ 5 , 35 , 38 , 43 , 49 , 50 ], musicians [ 38 , 51 , 52 , 53 ], railroaders [ 4 , 5 , 34 , 43 , 54 , 55 ], school teachers [ 5 , 34 , 43 ] and construction workers [ 5 , 34 , 38 , 43 , 55 , 56 ,…”

Trends in worker hearing loss by industry sector, 1981–2010

“…This sector is not usually associated with a higher risk of hearing loss, and the prevalence has been estimated to be 9–10% overall [Tak and Calvert, ; Masterson et al, ]. However, other research [Masterson, ] has suggested that this sector has a higher prevalence of shifts in hearing. Shifts in hearing can be early indicators of hearing loss and are a measure of the effectiveness of hearing conservation programs [NIOSH, ].…”