Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Hearing Thresholds in Electronics Sound Inspectors Exposed to Continuous and Impulsive Type Noises: Seong Ah Kim, Kyoo Sang Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2004;16(3):227-235. Published online September 30, 2004; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2004.16.3.227

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
To investigate the relation between different types of exposure to noise and a classic sign of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL); the audiometric notch.
METHODS
A cross-sectional epidemiological survey was carried out in electronics sound inspectors exposed to continuous and impulsive type noises. The noise levels in the working environments, and the audiometric hearing threshold levels were measured.
RESULTS
Electronics sound inspectors were exposed to impulsive noise ranging from 74.1 to 88.9 dBA. The hearing loss induced by impulsive noise was greater and was characterized by maximum loss at 6 kHz audiometric frequency, as opposed to the notch at 4 kHz that is typical of continuous noise.
CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the probable effect of impulsive noise on hearing should be considered even when the exposure is within the 85 dB equivalent A-weighted level. To diagnose NIHL it is important to elicit a detailed and accurate history of exposure to noise. Although the notch at 4 kHz is a well established clinical sign and may be valuable in confirming the diagnosis, the 6 kHz notch is variable and of limited importance.

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Characteristics and Affecting Factors of Tinnitus in Noise Exposed Workers: Kyoo Sang Kim, Ho Keun Chung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002;14(4):436-447. Published online December 31, 2002; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2002.14.4.436

OBJECTIVES
Tinnitus is a relatively common complaint of workers who are exposed to noise. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus as well as the factors related to the prevalence of tinnitus.
METHODS
A cross-sectional audiologic survey was combined with a questionnaire on tinnitus in a stratified random sample of 246 shipyard workers who had long-term exposure to noise.
RESULTS
Forty seven had tinnitus, giving a prevalence of 19.1 percent. The tinnitus was the here and now in 44.7 percent of cases, bilateral in 51.1 percent, and caused sleep disturbances in 12.8 percent. The prevalence of tinnitus was highest in shipfitters and those with longer exposure duration.The workers with tunnitus had consistently higher hearing thresholds at both high and low frequencies than those with no tinnitus.The workers with tinnitus had a significantly higher prevalence of hearing disorders such as conductive hearing loss, a C5-dip, and NIHL.Multivariative logistic regression indicated that past history of ear disease, working and military service exposure to noise were independently associated with tinnitus. The adjusted odds ratio estimates for tinnitus were 3.0 times greater (95%CI 1.4-6.4) for the group with a past history of ear diseases,2.3 times greater (95%CI 1.0-5.0) for the military noise exposed group,and 4.5 times greater (95%CI 1.8-11.1) for the working noise exposed group.
CONCLUSIONS
The results provide evidence that reports of tinnitus at the time of the annual audiometric testing may be useful in identifying workers at greater risk of developing significant shifts in their hearing thresholds. An awareness of the possible occurrence of tinnitus may encourage workers to cooperate more actively in a company's hearing conservation program.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

A systematic review of the reporting of tinnitus prevalence and severity
Abby McCormack, Mark Edmondson-Jones, Sarah Somerset, Deborah Hall
Hearing Research.2016; 337: 70. CrossRef
The Characterisitics of Tinnitus and Its Relationship to Depression from Tinnitus Acquired from Military Service
Kyoo Sang Kim, Ji Hae Kim, Yong Hun Yoon
Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.2012; 55(12): 757. CrossRef
Occupational Hearing Loss in Korea
Kyoo Sang Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S62. CrossRef

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Relationship between the Use of Mobile Phones and Hearing Thresholds in Some White-collar Workers: Mi Young Lee, Choong Won Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002;14(1):47-56. Published online March 31, 2002; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2002.14.1.47

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the use of mobile phones and the levels of hearing thresholds in some clerical workers.
METHODS
Questionnaires were administered to 450 clerical workers between May and August 2000. The questionnaire included items concerning socio-demographic profile and noise-exposure history as well as use of mobile phone. The number of workers used in the final analysis was 394(Response rate 87.6%). Males numbered 308 and females 86. Hearing thresholds were measured in both ears using a pure-tone audiometer.
RESULTS
In a univariate analysis, the duration and time of mobile phone use per day were significant in regards to hearing threshold at 1000Hz in males(p<0.05). In a linear regression analysis with adjustment for age, education, military service, use of earphone, the group that used mobile phones for more than 49 months was more likely to have low hearing threshold at 1000Hz and 4000Hz in males(p<0.05) as compared to the reference group (CONCLUSIONS
These results suggested that only certain elements of use of a mobile phone may be associated with hearing thresholds and there is a complex relationship between the use of mobile phone and hearing thresholds that may differ in terms of frequency (1000Hz and 4000Hz) and gender.

Citations

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Effects of VR Viewing on Binocular Vision and Eye Movement : Focusing on Undergraduates Having a Major Related to Physical Education
Hyun-Uk Park, Chang-Won Park
The Korean Journal of Vision Science.2023; 25(3): 209. CrossRef
Occupational Hearing Loss in Korea
Kyoo Sang Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S62. CrossRef

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The Correlation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Hearing Loss: Sung Pil Jung, Soo Young Kim, Tae Yong Lee, Young Chae Cho, Dong Bae Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(2):189-202. Published online May 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.2.189

Abstract PDF

To investigate the effects of cardiovascular risk factors on hearing loss, hearing threshold and cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, hematologic values, and serum lipid levels of 3,827 persons who visited the Health Center of a University Hospital in Kumi for health examination from January 1, 1995 to July 31, 1997 were analysed. The results were summarized as follows ; 1. Hearing threshold was shifted highly in both sex groups with age increased. Smoking did not influence increase of hearing loss, but drinking alcohol amount increased hearing threshold when sex was adjusted. The most highly increased hearing threshold showed among farmers group, but next was blue collars group. Hearing threshold increasing basis with BMI increased. 2. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and hematocrit value increased the hearing threshold in both sex groups, but hemoglobin value did not related to the hearing threshold. 3. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, and atherosclerosis index were significantly increased with the grade of hearing lose increased, when age was adjusted. 4. In the logistic regression analysis, the atherosclerosis index, age, and hematocrit value revealed risk factors which contributed in that orders, though the values were small they showed statistical significances, but the risks were lowered when hemoglobin values increased, in both sex groups. Consequently, hyperlipidemia was significantly related to the hearing loss when age was adjusted.

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Spatio-temporal Characteristics of the Frequency of Weather Types and Analysis of the Related Air Quality in Korean Urban Areas over a Recent Decade (2007-2016)
Hyeong-Sik Park, Sang-Keun Song, Seung-Beom Han, Seongbin Cho
Journal of Environmental Science International.2018; 27(11): 1129. CrossRef

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