Hearing loss associated with smoking and occupational noise exposure in a Japanese metal working company

The effects of smoking on hearing loss within the context of atherosclerosis was assessed, and the statistical interaction of occupational noise evaluated. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 397 Japanese males working at a metal factory, aged 21–66 years, in a periodical health checkup. The following information was obtained: two smoking indices of smoking status and Brinkman index, occupational noise exposures and atherosclerotic risk factors (body mass index, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c, atherosclerosis index). Hearing acuity was measured at 4 kHz using a pure-tone audiometer in a quiet room. Among the total subjects, 55 (13.9%) were identified as having hearing loss at 4 kHz, and 151 (38.0%) were currently exposed to occupational noise. When adjusted for age and occupational noise exposure, odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of hearing loss were 3.16 (1.04, 9.62) for past smokers and 3.39 (1.05, 11.01) for heavy smokers (Brinkman index >750 cigarettes per day × number of years), compared with never-smokers. Statistical interaction of occupational noise exposure was insignificant with the association between smoking and hearing loss. When including atherosclerotic risk factors in a multiple model, there were no significant associations between hearing loss and either smoking or any other factors (i.e., occupational noise and atherosclerotic factors). Smoking was found to be associated with hearing loss beyond occupational noise exposure, and this association seemed to be masked by atherosclerotic factors, suggesting that the direction of the atherosclerotic effect on the relationship might need to be explored between smoking and hearing impairment.     

A study on compliance to hearing conservation programme among industries in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Noise is one of the hazards faced by workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among industries in Negeri Sembilan with the objective to assess their compliance to Hearing Conservation Programme (HCP). The other objectives of this study were to determine the factors influencing it and to show the industries' compliance to each element of the programme. It was also to identify the association between compliance to HCP and the prevalence of hearing impairment and standard threshold shift. Data for this study were collected using questionnaires sent by mail and also the results of the latest audiometric tests. A total of 167 industries were analysed for this study. It was found that 41.3% of these industries fully complied to the programme. It was also found that the industries preferred to provide hearing protection device (92.8%) and least complied to noise control (61.1%). There were significant associations (p<0.05) between compliance and number of employees, status of ownership and the presence of officer in charge of hearing conservation programme. Having at least 150 employees actually raised the compliance to HCP in two folds (beta = 0.717, OR = 2.048, C.I 95% = 1.063 to 3.944). The prevalences of hearing impairment and standard threshold shift were 23.9% and 5.2% respectively. There was no significant association between the prevalence for hearing impairment and compliance to HCP. The prevalence for standard threshold shift was inversely related to compliance. This study showed that compliance percentage need to be improved as an effort to prevent the hearing problems among workers exposed to noise.     

Occupational noise exposure and hearing loss of workers in two plants in eastern Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hearing loss associated with occupational noise exposure and other risk factors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study involving 269 exposed and 99 non-exposed subjects (non-industrial noise exposed subjects) randomly selected. Current noise exposure was estimated using both sound level meter and noise-dosimeter. Past noise exposure was estimated by interview questionnaire. Otoscopic examination and conventional frequency (0.25-8 kHz) audiometry were used to assess the hearing loss in each subject. RESULTS: 75% (202 subjects) from the exposed group were exposed to a daily Leq above the permissible level of 85 dB(A) and most (61%) of these did not and had never used any form of hearing protection. Hearing loss was found to be bilateral and symmetrical in both groups. Bivariate analysis showed a significant hearing loss in the exposed vs non-exposed subjects with a characteristic dip at 4 kHz. Thirty eight percent of exposed subjects had hearing impairment, which was an 8-fold higher rate than that found for non-exposed subjects. Multivariate analysis indicated exposure to noise was the primary, and age the secondary predictor of hearing loss. Odds of hearing impairment were lower for a small sub-group of exposed workers using hearing protection (N=19) in which logistic regression analysis showed the probability of workers adopting hearing protective devices increased with noise exposure, education, and awareness of noise control. Hearing loss was also greater amongst those who used headphones to listen to recorded cassettes. CONCLUSION: Gross occupational exposure to noise has been demonstrated to cause hearing loss and the authors believe that occupational hearing loss in Saudi Arabia is a widespread problem. Strategies of noise assessment and control are introduced which may help improve the work environment.     

早产低出生体重儿与听力损伤

目的:探讨早产低出生体重儿听力损伤特点及其相关因素。方法:52例早产低出生体重儿根据胎龄分为4组,即<30、30～31+6、32～33+6、34～36+6周组,对每组患儿进行听性脑干诱发电位(ABR)检测,异常者于3个月后随访。结果:各组ABR反应阈增高的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),但χ2分割后A组与C组、A组与D组的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);各组平均听反应阈、ABR全波缺失、重度异常耳发生率及听力损伤程度的差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);听力损伤与母妊娠期有病毒感染史、出生体重低于1500g及Apgar评分1min<3分或5min<6分者有相关性(P<0.05);ABR异常的恢复率A组与C组、A组与D组的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:胎龄越小ABR发生异常的程度越重。母妊娠期有病毒感染史、出生体重低于1500g和重度窒息(Apgar评分1min<3分或5min<6分者)是早产低出生体重儿听力受损的高危因素。ABR异常的小早产儿(胎龄<30周者)有着较高的恢复率。有必要对早产低出生体重儿进行早期的听力检测以及跟踪随访。     

妇幼保健院神经听觉监测网络模式及其可行性研究

提出在国内地域性妇幼保健院 (中心 )建立新生儿 (婴幼儿 )神经听觉监测网络机制的命题。这一主题包含 3项内容 :1由听力学专业人员和妇幼保健机构协作 ,组成新生儿和婴幼儿 ,特别是高危新生儿的听力筛查运作模式 ;2新生儿和婴幼儿 ,特别是高危新生儿 (和 /或高危孕产妇 )的听力学评估 ,及听损伤的诊断科学 ;3新生儿和婴幼儿 ,特别是高危新生儿听损伤的治疗和干预科学。     

Observed and expected prevalence of permanent childhood hearing impairment in Oldham

BACKGROUND: A perceived high prevalence of permanent childhood hearing impairment in Oldham, particularly in the Asian community, caused concern during the local implementation of the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of cases with dates of birth between 1 January 1986 and 31 May 2003 was undertaken to describe local epidemiology and establish the observed prevalence rate. Expected prevalence was determined by application of published national rates to the susceptible Oldham population. RESULTS: The study identified 132 children in Oldham meeting the case definition. The prevalence of permanent childhood hearing impairment in the non-Asian community (1.34/1,000 live births) was equal to published national rates (1.33/1,000 live births), but that in the Asian community (4.64/1,000 live births) indicated a relative risk of 3.5. Differences in prevalence between observed and expected rates was greater than would have occurred by chance (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The clinical suspicion of a raised local prevalence of permanent childhood hearing impairment in Oldham was confirmed. The importance of using locally derived data when implementing national policy is emphasized.     

Infant hearing screening 1984 to 1989: the Henry Ford Hospital experience

From 1984 to 1989 the Infant Hearing Screening (IHS) program at Henry Ford Hospital identified 1,300 infants as being "at risk" for hearing loss. The prevalence of significant sensorineural hearing loss in this sample was 1.4%. Additionally, 80 infants who passed the IHS program and reached 3 years of age were found to have normal hearing sensitivity by conventional audiometric techniques (ie, no false-negative predictions). There were three false-positive predictions. It was discovered that infants of low birthweight (ie, less than 1,500 g) were three times more likely to fail IHS than those whose weight exceeded 1,500 g. A higher return rate was found for infants failing an initial hearing screening conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit in comparison to those screened as outpatients one week postdischarge. The sensitivity and specificity of behavioral observation audiometry were 43% and 92%, respectively, when brainstem auditory-evoked potentials was used as the criterion validity measure.     

Hearing loss in workers exposed to toluene and noise

In this study we investigated the risk of hearing loss among workers exposed to both toluene and noise. We recruited 58 workers at an adhesive materials manufacturing plant who were exposured to both toluene and noise [78.6-87.1 A-weighted decibels; dB(A)], 58 workers exposed to noise only [83.5-90.1 dB(A)], and 58 administrative clerks [67.9-72.6 dB(A)] at the same company. We interviewed participants to obtain sociodemographic and employment information and performed physical examinations, including pure-tone audiometry tests between 0.5 and 6 kHz. A contracted laboratory certified by the Council of Labor in Taiwan conducted on-site toluene and noise exposure measurements. The prevalence of hearing loss of >or=25 dB in the toluene plus noise group (86.2%) was much greater than that in the noise-only group (44.8%) and the administrative clerks (5.0%) (p<0.001). The prevalence rates were 67.2, 32.8, and 8.3% (p<0.001), respectively, when 0.5 kHz was excluded from the estimation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the toluene plus noise group had an estimated risk for hearing loss>or=25 dB, 10.9 times higher than that of the noise-only group. The risk ratio dropped to 5.8 when 0.5 kHz was excluded from the risk estimation. Hearing impairment was greater for the pure-tone frequency of 1 kHz than for that of 2 kHz. However, the mean hearing threshold was the poorest for 6 kHz, and the least effect was observed for 2 kHz. Our results suggest that toluene exacerbates hearing loss in a noisy environment, with the main impact on the lower frequencies.     

Hearing loss as a risk factor for agricultural injuries

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggested that hearing impairment based on self-report might increase the risk of agricultural injuries. However, self-reported hearing measures may be subject to inaccuracy and subjective perception. We assessed the association of agricultural injuries with hearing loss and other hearing characteristics using measured hearing. METHODS: Study subjects were 150 farmers who participated in the Iowa Certified Safe Farm study. Injury information was collected by telephone interviews at 2-5 month intervals from September 1999 to October 2002. Hearing levels were measured annually using the pure tone audiometry from 1998 to 2002. Adjusted rate ratios of injuries were calculated using the multivariate Poisson regression model. RESULTS: Hearing loss in the better ear (RR = 1.62), hearing asymmetry (RR = 1.67), and fair/poor self-reported hearing (RR = 1.96) were significantly associated with the risk of agricultural injuries. It is notable that self-reported hearing might be a stronger predictor of injuries than pure tone audiometry (PTA). Exposure to noise elevated the risk of injuries in those farmers with hearing loss or hearing asymmetry. The occasional use of hearing protection was significantly associated with agricultural injuries. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds substantial evidence that hearing loss acts as a risk for agricultural injuries. Prevention of hearing loss and noise exposure may be important in reducing the burden of agricultural injuries.     

社区65岁及以上居民嗅觉和听觉双重障碍与认知障碍的关联性

目的  探讨社区65岁及以上居民嗅觉和听觉双重障碍与认知障碍的关联性。方法  从湖北老年记忆队列纳入8 370名65岁及以上老年人,根据嗅觉和听觉功能状况将研究对象分为4组：无嗅觉和听觉障碍(no olfactory and hearing impairment, NOHI)组、仅嗅觉障碍(olfactory impairment only, OI)组、仅听觉障碍(hearing impairment only, HI)组及嗅觉和听觉双重障碍(dual olfactory and hearing impairment,DOHI)组。认知障碍包括轻度认知障碍及痴呆。采用logistic回归分析模型分析老年人不同感觉功能状况与认知障碍的关系。结果  一般社区老年人群嗅觉障碍、听觉障碍、DOHI和认知障碍患病率分别为24.1% (95% CI：23.2%~25.0%)、44.5% (95% CI：43.4%~45.5%)、20.0% (95% CI：19.1%~20.8%)和26.3% (95% CI：25.4%~27.3%)。OI、HI和DOHI组认知障碍患病率均高于NOHI组,且DOHI组认知障碍患病率高于其他3组。调整社会人口学、生活方式和慢病因素后,DOHI组认知障碍的患病风险分别为NOHI、OI和HI组的1.402倍、1.437倍和1.403倍。结论  中国社区患嗅觉和听觉双重障碍的老年人群患认知障碍的风险高于无感觉障碍人群,也高于仅单纯一种感觉障碍人群。双重感觉障碍是患认知障碍的高风险因素。     

太原市社区老年人听力损失影响因素研究

目的 了解太原市社区老年人听力损失人群分布特征,分析听力损失影响冈素.方法 采用多级抽样方法,在太原市官地、朝阳两社区选取60岁以上社区老年人384名,进行听力损失的一般问卷调查.采集5 ml晨起空腹血进行血糖、甘油三酯和胆固醇检测.采用GVSLN-TC-GK2000型听觉评估仪分别测两耳0.5、1、2、3、4、8 kHz听阈,取听力较好耳平均听阈(0.5、1、2 kHz听阈平均值),3、4、8 kHz听阈作为应变量;社会人口学资料、环境因素、生化指标为自变量,采用SPSS 13.0软件进行t检验、方差分析及累加logistic回归进行听力损失影响因素分析.结果 老年人听力损失90.9%,听力残疾为78.6%,其中1.3%配带助听器.单因素分析结果显示:平均听阈及3、4、8 kHz听阈值在不同年龄、性别、文化程度、血糖、胆周醇组间的差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01).累加logistic回归显示:除血糖仅纳人中低频组外,年龄、性别、文化程度、胆同醇均纳入各频段构建累加logistic回归模型.老年男性、高龄、高血糖、高胆固醇是听力损失危险因素,高文化程度是保护因素.结论 听力损失在老年人群具有较高发生率.年龄、性别、文化程度、血糖、胆同醇与听力损失存在关联,预防高血糖、高血脂的发生对延缓听力损失有益.     

Validation of self-reported hearing loss. The Blue Mountains Hearing Study

PURPOSE: Large-scale epidemiological studies have often used self-report to estimate prevalence of age-related hearing loss. However, few large population-based studies have validated self-report against measured hearing loss. Our study aimed to assess the performance of a single question and a brief hearing handicap questionnaire in identifying individuals with hearing loss, against the gold standard of pure-tone audiometry. METHODS: We examined 2015 residents, aged 55-99 years, living in the west of Sydney, Australia, who participated in the Blue Mountains Hearing Study during 1997-1999. Audiologists administered a comprehensive questionnaire, including the question: 'Do you feel you have a hearing loss?' The Shortened Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly (HHIE-S) was also administered during the hearing examination, which included pure-tone audiometry. The single question and HHIE-S were compared with measured losses at levels >25, >40 and >60 decibels hearing level (dBHL) to indicate mild, moderate and marked hearing impairment, for pure-tone averages (PTA) of responses to 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz. RESULTS: The single question yielded reasonable sensitivity and specificity for hearing impairment, and was minimally affected by age and gender. HHIE-S scores >8 had lower sensitivity but higher specificity and positive predictive value. The HHIE-S performed slightly better in younger than older subjects and performed better for moderate hearing impairment. CONCLUSIONS: In this older population with a high prevalence of hearing loss (39.4%), both a question about hearing and the HHIE-S appeared sufficiently sensitive and specific to provide reasonable estimates of hearing loss prevalence. Both could be recommended for use in epidemiological studies that aim to assess the magnitude of the burden caused by age-related sensory impairment but cannot measure hearing loss by audiometry.     

Severe hearing impairment among military veterans--United States, 2010

A substantial proportion of hearing loss in the United States is attributable to employment-related exposure to noise. Among military veterans, the most common service-connected disabilities are hearing impairments, suggesting that occupational noise exposure during military service might cause more veterans to have hearing loss than nonveterans. However, a recent analysis of data from the 1993-1995 Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study did not find significant differences between the two groups. To further investigate hearing loss among veterans, specifically the prevalence of severe hearing impairment (SHI), data from the 2010 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) to the Current Population Survey (CPS) were analyzed. This report describes the results of those analyses, which indicated that the prevalence of SHI among veterans was significantly greater than among nonveterans. Veterans were 30% more likely to have SHI than nonveterans after adjusting for age and current occupation, and veterans who served in the United States or overseas during September 2001-March 2010, the era of overseas contingency operations (including Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom), were four times more likely than nonveterans to have SHI. These findings suggest a need for increased emphasis on improving military hearing conservation programs (HCPs) and on hearing loss surveillance in military and veterans' health systems.     

Hearing impairment and socioeconomic factors: a population-based survey of an urban locality in southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To provide the first population-based data on deafness and hearing impairment in Brazil. METHODS: In 2003, a cross-sectional household survey was conducted of 2,427 persons 4 years old and over. The study population was composed of 1,040 systematically chosen households in 40 randomly selected census tracts (dwelling clusters) in the city of Canoas, which is in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil. Hearing function was evaluated in all subjects by both pure-tone audiometry and physical examination, using the World Health Organization Ear and Hearing Disorders Survey Protocol and definitions of hearing levels. The socioeconomic data that were gathered included the amount of schooling of all individuals tested and the income of the head of the household. RESULTS: It was found that 26.1% of the population studied showed some level of hearing impairment, and 6.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.5%-8.1%) were classified in the disabling hearing impairment group. The prevalence of moderate hearing loss was 5.4% (95% CI = 4.4%-6.4%); for severe hearing loss, 1.2% (95% CI = 0.7%-1.7%); and for profound hearing loss, 0.2% (95% CI = 0.03%-0.33%). The groups at higher risk for hearing loss were men (odds ratio (OR) = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.06-2.23); participants 60 years of age and over (OR = 12.55; 95% CI = 8.38-18.79); those with fewer years of formal schooling (OR = 3.92; 95% CI = 2.14-7.16); and those with lower income (OR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.06-2.27). CONCLUSIONS: These results support advocacy by health policy planners and care providers for the prevention of deafness and hearing impairment. The findings could help build awareness in the community, in universities, and in government agencies of the health care needs that hearing problems create.     

Ophthalmic, hearing, speaking and school readiness outcomes in low birth weight and normal birth weight primary school children in Mashhad-Iran

Low Birth weight infants are at risk of many problems. Therefore their outcome must evaluate in different ages especially in school age. In this study we determined prevalence of ophthalmic, hearing, speaking and school readiness problems in children who were born low birth weight and compared them with normal birth weight children. In a cross-sectional and retrospective study, all Primary School children referred to special educational organization center for screening before entrance to school were elected in Mashhad, Iran. In this study 2400 children enrolled to study and were checked for ophthalmic, hearing, speaking and school readiness problems by valid instrument. Data were analyzed by SPSS 11.5. This study showed that 8.3% of our population had birth weight less than 2500 gram. Visual impairment in LBW (Low Birth Weight) and NBW (Normal Birth Weight) was 8.29% vs. 5.74% and there was statistically significant difference between them (P=0.015). Hearing problem in LBW and NBW was 2.1% vs. 1.3 and it was not statistically significant. Speaking problem in LBW and NBW was 2.6% vs. 2.2% and it was not statistically significant. School readiness problem in LBW and NBW was 12.4% vs. 5.8% and it was statistically significant (P<0.001). According to the results, neurological problems in our society is more than other society and pay attention to this problem is critical. We believe that in our country, it is necessary to provide a program to routinely evaluate LBW children.     

Dietary glycemic load is a predictor of age-related hearing loss in older adults

Age-related hearing loss is a frequent disability in older adults and nutrition could play a role in the development of this condition. Carbohydrate nutrition [including dietary glycemic index (GI) and load (GL)] may be linked to hearing loss. We aimed to determine the association between carbohydrate nutrition (including mean dietary GI and GL, and the dietary intakes of carbohydrate and sugar), starch, cereal and total fiber, and age-related hearing loss. The Blue Mountains Hearing Study is a population-based survey of age-related hearing loss (1997-1999 to 2002-2004). Hearing loss was measured in 2956 participants (aged ≥50 y) and was defined as the pure-tone average of frequencies 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 kHz > 25 dB hearing level. Dietary data were collected in a semiquantitative FFQ. A purpose-built database based on Australian GI values was used to calculate the mean GI. A higher mean dietary GI was associated with an increased prevalence of any hearing loss, comparing quintiles 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest), [multivariable-adjusted odds ratio = 1.41 (95% CI = 1.01-1.97)]. Participants in the highest quartile of mean dietary GL intake compared with those in the lowest quartile had a 76% greater risk of developing incident hearing loss (P-trend = 0.04). Higher carbohydrate and sugar intakes were associated with incident hearing loss (P-trend = 0.03 and P-trend = 0.05, respectively). In summary, a high-GL diet was a predictor of incident hearing loss, as was higher intake of total carbohydrate. Hence, high postprandial glycemia might be a potential underlying biological mechanism in the development of age-related hearing loss.     

Association between self-reported hearing impairment and diabetes: a Brazilian population-based study

Background

Some studies have already explored the relationship between diabetes and hearing loss; however, this relationship has still not been well established, especially due to methodological limitations related to lack of control for confounders. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between self-reported hearing impairment and diabetes among adults in Brazil, controlling for sociodemographic and occupational exposure to ototoxic agents.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study based on data collected by the National Health Survey of 2013 in Brazil. A total of 60,202 individuals aged≥18 years were interviewed. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated using the Poisson regression model with robust estimation of the variance. All analyzes were performed considering the appropriated weights imposed by the complex sample design.

Results

Hearing loss prevalence was 2.56% (95%CI: 2.34–2.79). It was higher in males, older age groups, white and individuals with lower levels of schooling. Diabetes was positively and significantly associated with hearing loss in the crude analysis (PR_crude?=?2.92; 95%CI: 2.75–3.11) and also in the analysis adjusted for gender, age, skin color, schooling, smoking, alcohol consumption and occupational exposure (PR_adj?=?1.46; 95%CI: 1.32–1.61).

Conclusions

The present results suggest that individuals with diabetes have higher prevalence of hearing impairment. There is the need of longitudinal studies to investigate if diabetes is a risk factor to hearing impairment.

     

Noise exposure and hearing loss among sand and gravel miners

The objectives of this study were to describe workplace noise exposures, risk factors for hearing loss, and hearing levels among sand and gravel miners, and to determine whether full shift noise exposures resulted in changes in hearing thresholds from baseline values. Sand and gravel miners (n = 317) were interviewed regarding medical history, leisure-time and occupational noise exposure, other occupational exposures, and use of hearing protection. Audiometric tests were performed both before the work shift (following a 12-hour noise-free interval) and immediately following the work shift. Full shift noise dosimetry was conducted. Miners' noise exposures exceeded the Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for 69% of workers, and exceeded the Mine Safety and Health Administration's action level for enrollment in a hearing conservation program for 41% of workers. Significantly higher noise exposures occurred among employees of small companies, among workers with a job classification of truck driver, among males, and among black workers. Hearing protection usage was low, with 48% of subjects reporting that they never used hearing protection. Hearing impairment, as defined by NIOSH, was present among 37% of 275 subjects with valid audiograms. Black male workers and white male workers had higher hearing thresholds than males from a comparison North Carolina population unexposed to industrial noise. Small but statistically significant changes in hearing thresholds occurred following full shift noise exposure among subjects who had good hearing sensitivity at baseline. In a logistic regression model, age and history of a past noisy job were significant predictors of hearing impairment. Overall, sand and gravel workers have excessive noise exposures and significant hearing loss, and demonstrate inadequate use of hearing protection. Well-designed hearing conservation programs, with reduction of noise exposure, are clearly needed.     

Hearing loss in migrant agricultural workers

BACKGROUND: Farmers have high rates of hearing loss, yet little is known about the hearing status of migrant agricultural workers. We performed a cross-sectional survey to assess the prevalence and impact of hearing loss in this population. METHODS: One hundred fifty migrant and seasonal agricultural workers were surveyed at a series of health fairs held at migrant camps. A bilingual questionnaire included items related to hearing loss risk factors and subjective hearing difficulties. Pure tone audiometry and tympanometry were performed in a mobile testing van. RESULTS: More than half the subjects had some degree of hearing loss at audiometric frequencies between 500 and 6,000 Hz, especially in the higher frequencies. Hispanic males in the sample had significantly greater prevalence of high-frequency hearing loss compared to adults in the national Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES). More than 35% of respondents complained of subjective difficulty hearing or understanding speech, yet no workers reported use of hearing aids. Even after adjusting for measured hearing loss, Hispanic farm workers were more likely than their English- speaking counterparts to complain of difficulty hearing or understanding speech, suggesting that language barriers could worsen the impact of hearing loss. Risk factors for hearing loss included age and abnormal tympanometry. Occupational exposures to noise from tractors and other machinery as well as pesticides were frequently reported, while use of hearing protection was rare. CONCLUSION: Hearing loss is a significant and under-recognized problem in the migrant worker population. Further preventive and treatment efforts are warranted.     

Hearing difficulty attributable to employment by industry and occupation: an analysis of the National Health Interview Survey--United States, 1997 to 2003

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the national burden of hearing difficulty among workers in US industries and occupations. METHODS: Data on 130,102 employed National Health Interview Survey respondents between the ages of 18 to 65 years who were interviewed between 1997 and 2003 were analyzed to estimate the population prevalence, adjusted prevalence ratios, and fractions of hearing difficulty attributable to employment. RESULTS: The estimated population prevalence of hearing difficulty was 11.4% (24% attributable to employment). The adjusted prevalence ratios of hearing difficulty were highest for railroads, mining, and primary metal manufacturing industry. Occupations with increased risk of hearing difficulty were mechanics/repairers, machine operators, and transportation equipment operators. CONCLUSIONS: Hearing difficulty was differentially distributed across various industries. In industries with high rates, employers and workers should take preventive action to reduce the risk of occupational hearing loss.