Comparative analysis of hearing loss caused by steady-state noise and impulse noise

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Fan, Boya^{a; b} | Wang, Gang^a | Wu, Wei^{a; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, PLA Strategic Support Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China | [b] Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Wei Wu, MD., Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, PLA Strategic Support Force Characteristic Medical Center. No. 9, Anxiangbeili, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China. Tel.: +86 10 66356347; Fax: +86 10 66356347; E-mail [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Varied noise environments, such as impulse noise and steady-state noise, may induce distinct patterns of hearing impairment among personnel exposed to prolonged noise. However, comparative studies on these effects remain limited. OBJECTIVE:This study aims to delineate the different characteristics of hearing loss in workers exposed to steady-state noise and impulse noise. METHODS:As of December 2020, 96 workers exposed to steady-state noise and 177 workers exposed to impulse noise were assessed. Hearing loss across various frequencies was measured using pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) audiometry. RESULTS:Both groups of workers exposed to steady-state noise and impulse noise exhibited high frequencies hearing loss. The steady-state noise group displayed significantly greater hearing loss at lower frequencies in the early stages, spanning 1– 5 years of work (P < 0.05). Among individuals exposed to impulse noise for extended periods (over 10 years), the observed hearing loss surpassed that of the steady-state noise group, displaying a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:Hearing loss resulting from both steady-state noise and impulse noise predominantly occurs at high frequencies. Early exposure to steady-state noise induces more pronounced hearing loss at speech frequencies compared to impulse noise.

Keywords: Steady-state noise, impulse noise, noise-induced hearing loss, pure tone audiometry, distorted product otoacoustic emissions

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230066

Journal: Work, vol. 79, no. 2, pp. 653-660, 2024