Workers of the hospital maintenance sector: protection, hearing symptoms and noise exposure

Abstract

Purpose: to investigate the use of hearing protection and symptoms in hospital maintenance workers and evaluate the noise level of the machines. Methods: a cross-sectional quantitative study held with workers from a public hospital maintenance service. A questionnaire related to personal, clinical and occupational history was used. Measurement of the noise level of the machines in the sector was carried out using a sound pressure level meter. Results: 57 male workers participated, mean age of 43.28 years, among the workers, carpentry prevailed (10.53%), length of time at the job averaged 8.9 years and 9.3 daily work hours; 45.76% did not know what could be done to reduce maintenance noise; 59.65% wore hearing protectors at work, ear plug model (47.37%), and 82.45% thought that the noise was reduced when they wore the hearing protector correctly. Auditory and non-auditory signs and symptoms were denied by most workers. Noise perception in the maintenance service was medium (53%) and high (44%), evidenced noise levels of 62.0 to 101dB (A). Conclusion: the hearing protector was worn by 59.7% of the workers, the plug model was the most used (47.4%) and 75.8% reported that occupational noise decreased with the use of hearing protectors. Most workers use hearing protection and have no hearing symptoms. However, the presence of symptoms such as otalgia (8.8%), otorrhea (5.3%), dizziness (14.0%), tinnitus (17.5%) and difficulty in speech comprehension (7, 0%) should be pointed out. Noise assessment showed high levels from some maintenance machinery, representing a risk for hearing. The sectors of the woodwork and metalwork were the noisiest.

Auditory and vocal symptoms: an analysis of the self-perception of digital game players

“…The present study demonstrated a higher prevalence of self-perception of decreased hearing among those who reported anxiety. Manifestations of anxiety, stress, irritability, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating are common symptoms caused by exposure to high sound pressure levels (8)(9)(10) . A study conducted in Canada by Bishop's University demonstrated that situational anxiety increases significantly when the individual is exposed to 75 dB of environmental noise (23) .…”

“…The most commonly reported auditory symptoms are tinnitus, otalgia, difficulty understanding speech, ear fullness, discomfort with intense sounds, and hearing loss. Symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, stress, irritability, fatigue, anxiety, inattention, and vision, memory, sleep, and mood disorders are also reported (8)(9)(10) .…”

Sintomas auditivos e vocais: uma análise da autopercepção de jogadores de jogos digitais

“…O presente estudo demonstrou maior prevalência de autopercepção de diminuição da audição entre pessoas que referiram ansiedade. Manifestações de ansiedade, estresse, irritabilidade, insônia e dificuldade de concentração são sintomas comuns causados pela exposição a elevados níveis de pressão sonora (NPS) (8)(9)(10) . Estudo realizado no Canadá, pela Universidade de Bishop, demonstrou que a ansiedade situacional aumenta significativamente quando o indivíduo é exposto a 75 dB de ruído ambiental (23) .…”

“…Os sintomas auditivos mais comumente referidos são zumbido, otalgia, dificuldade de compreensão da fala, plenitude auricular, desconforto a sons intensos e perda auditiva. São relatados, ainda, sintomas como cefaleia, insônia, estresse, irritabilidade, fadiga, ansiedade, desatenção e distúrbios de visão, memória, sono e humor (8)(9)(10) .…”