Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

The Characteristics of Tinnitus and Hearing Threshold: In Workers with Noise Induced Hearing Loss from a Hospital Setting: Nam Jeong Kim, Hyoung Ouk Park, Chang Sun Sim, Choong Ryeol Lee, Young Joo Kwon, Ji Ho Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(4):431-440. Published online December 31, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.4.431

OBJECTIVES
This study was carried out to define the relationship between the characteristics of tinnitus and hearing threshold (puretone and speech) in workers with noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).
METHODS
A total of 189 cases(378 ears) from workers with compensation claims for NIHL during 2004-2009 were investigated. Various factors, including age, work carriers, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, noise exposure level of worksite hearing threshold, speech discrimination score, pitch match, and loudness of tinnitus were analyzed.
RESULTS
The average hearing threshold of all subject was 44.2 dBHL, puretone audiometry thresholds in subjects with tinnitus were lower than the non-tinnitus group (except at 8000 Hz). Using speech audiometry, the tinnitus group showed a lower speech recognition threshold and speech discrimination score. The tinnitus group also had an average tinnitus frequency of 4195.2 Hz, loudness of 73.6 dB, and tinnitus sensation average of 6.0 dBSL. These frequencies of tinnitus were in the lowest puretone audiometry frequencies. Tinnitus loudness had a strong relationship with puretone and speech audiometry thresholds.
CONCLUSIONS
In cases beyond moderate hearing loss, the tinnitus group had a better puretone (except 8000 Hz) and speech hearing status, and most comfortable loudness (MCL) level. In addition, puretone and speech audiometry thresholds increase with tinnitus loudness.

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The Relationship Between Tinnitus Frequency and Speech Discrimination in Patients With Hearing Loss
Joo Hyung Oh, Taehun Lim, Joon Bum Joo, Ju Eun Cho, Pona Park, Jong Yang Kim
Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.2023; 66(3): 156. CrossRef
Efficiency Improvement of the Hearing Test Procedure Using Linear Regression
Heonzoo Lee, Sejin Kim, Rayoung Park, Sungsu Lee, Hyong-Ho Cho, Yonggwan Won
Journal of Digital Contents Society.2022; 23(12): 2489. CrossRef

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Comparison of the Standard Threshold Shift Criteria for Evaluating Hearing Conservation Programs: Chang Sun Sim, Kyoung Sook Jeong, Yu Jung Kim, Na Ri Choy, Choong Ryeol Lee, Hun Lee, Jong Pil Jung, Ok Hyun Kim, Yo Weon Lee, Seung Rim Yang, Sung Soo Oh, Ji Ho Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(3):179-188. Published online September 30, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.3.179

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
Workers from a factory was selected to compare 8 standard threshold shift criteria with the Korean diagnostic criteria of noise-induced hearing loss for this cohort study.
METHODS
From 1990 to 1999, 491 workers at a manufacturing company with complete record of the hearing test covering the range of 0.5~6 kHz for 10 consecutive years were finally selected. Eight standard threshold shift criteria (15 dB once, NIOSH (1972), 10 dB average 3~4 kHz, OSHA STS, AAOHNS, 15 dB twice, 15 dB 1~4 kHz, OSHA STS twice) along with the Korean standard for diagnosing the noise-induced hearing loss (the average hearing threshold at 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz) were compared to calculate the degree of the threshold shift and the minimum time required to detect the change.
RESULTS
Those workers showing at least one positive shift in the 'once'criteria of NIOSH (1972) were 92.5%; the 'average'criteria of 10 dB average 3~4 kHz were 35.8%; 'twice'criteria of 15 dB twice were 44.4%. The duration from the baseline to the year showing the first positive shift was from 3.2 +/- 3.1 years (NIOSH, 1972) to 6.0 +/- 2.1 years (OSHA STS twice). The percentage of true positive shift ranging from 20.4% (AAO-HNS) to 69.8% (NIOSH, 1972). There were 10 (2%) which met the Korean diagnostic criteria of noise-induced hearing loss.
CONCLUSIONS
Currently the concept of hearing threshold shift in diagnosing the hearing loss was adopted in Korea thus in this study we determined the validity and the effect of the various hearing threshold shift criteria and showed that NIOSH (1972) criteria was the best of all. In the future, hearing data from various manufacturing workers should be compared to thoroughly evaluate the threshold shift criteria and to establish adequate standard for Korean workers.

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The Predictive Study for Hearing Loss using Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission in Mild Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Sang Yong Oh, Won Chul Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2003;15(3):290-298. Published online September 30, 2003; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2003.15.3.290

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to predetermine the discrimination standard point of distortion product otoacoustic emission(DPOAE) amplitudes, which discriminates the degree of the mild noise-induced hearing loss, and to estimate the accuracy and predictability of the discrimination standard point of DPOAE amplitudes. Therefore we were able to determine the usability of the DPOAE test in screening exam for mild noise-induced hearing loss.
METHODS
This study was analyzed 50 high frequency-impaired ears(from 25dB HL to 40dB HL at 4000Hz for which the response of DPOAE was not disappeared) and 81 normal ears through the correlation test between the amplitudes of DPOAE test and the threshold of the pure-tone audiometry test.
RESULT
The discrimination between >or=25dB and CONCLUSION
DPOAE test is considered as a more efficient early prevention method against noise-induced hearing loss if this test is conducted as part of the special medical checkup of industrial workers exposed to noise.

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Effects of transient threshold shift and ambient noise on sensitivity and specificity of first screening of special health examination for noise: Jong Uk Won, Moon Kyoo Bang, Joong Ho Song, Sedn Ah Jeong, Jae Suk Song, Jaehoon Roh; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(2):269-276. Published online June 30, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.2.269

Abstract PDF: OBJECT: This study was performed to increase the sensitivity and specificity for screening the examinee of second hearing test.
METHODS
Study subjects were 219 workers who exposed more than average 80dB. They were taken the hearing test two times, before noise exposure and at 1 hour to 4 hours after worksite noise exposure. To investigate the ambient noise workers who were taken the hearing test in the test room which ambient noise was less than 45dB were classified Group I and the others were classified Group E. To calculate the sensitivity and specificity we made it gold standard whether worker had noise induced hearing loss.
RESULTS
Difference of hearing loss between before and after noise exposure for left and right ear was 11. 4 dB and 11. 7 dB respectively at 500 Hz, 8. 7 dB and 9. 6 dB at 1, 000 Hz, 6. 3 dB and 6. 9 dB at 2, 000 Hz and 6. 9 dB and 7. 4 dB at 4, 000 Hz in Group I. That for left ear and right ear was 5.8 dB and 4.9 dB at 500 Hz respectively, 5.4 dB and 6.4 dB at 1,000 Hz, 6.3 dB and 5.3 dB at 2,000 Hz, and 5.5 dB and 5.8 dB at 4,000 Hz in Group E. The sensitivity was 100 in both Groups and the specificity was increased to 58. 3 and 71. 8 in Group I and Group 3 respectively until 10 dB was deducted from hearing level at 1, 000 Hz and 4, 000 Hz.
CONCLUSION
When the screening hearing test was performed at worksite, we might deduct 10 dB from measured hearing level to increase the specificity without reduction of sensitivity.

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The Association of the Serum Magnesium with Hearing Loss Among Noise Exposed Male Workers: Wan Seoup Park, Jong Young Lee, Sang Jae Jung, Jae Young Yoo, Tae Sung Choi, Sung Chul Hong, Sung Chan No; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(1):12-25. Published online March 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.1.12

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to investigate that the chronic noise exposure is associated with decreased serum magnesium concentrations and evaluate whether decreased serum magnesium is associated with noise induced hearing loss.
METHODS
One hundred seventy-eight male workers exposed to noise were selected and classified three groups by the degree of hearing loss. Hearing threshold levels were less than 30 dB at 1,000 Hz or less than 40 dB at 4,000 Hz in group I, more than 30 dB at 1,000 Hz or more than 40 dB at 4,000 Hz and 15 dB and less of pure tone average(PTA: (500 Hz+1,000 Hz+2,000 Hz)/3) in group II, more than 30 dB at 1,000 Hz or more than 40 dB at 4, 000 Hz and over 15 dB of PTA in group III.
RESULTS
Serum magnesium concentrations were 2. 42+/-0. 26 nc/dt in group I, 2. 35+/-0.23 mg(dl in group II, 2.26+/-0.24 ne/dl in group III, respectively and significantly different between group I and group III (p<0. 01). It was negatively correlated with duration of the noise exposure as correlation coefficient(r) of -0.194 (p<0.05). Analysis of the multiple regression on hearing threshold levels showed that serum magnesium, diastolic blood pressure, duration of the noise exposure were statistically significant at 4,000 Hz(p<0.05). While only age was statistically significant at 1,000 Hz(p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that chronic noise exposure may induces decrease in serum magnesium concentrations and that its decreased concentration is related with noise induced hearing loss.

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Comparison of Post-Health Care of Workers with Noise Induced Hearing Loss between Medium Sized Industries and a Large Automobile Industry: Seung Hae Han, Soo Keun Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(2):229-240. Published online June 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.2.229

Abstract PDF: In order to compare post-health care between medium sized enterprises(50-300 employees) and a large enterprise(an automobile manufacture plant) and to evaluate factors related to post?health care performance of workers with noise induced hearing loss, this study was carried out. One hundred and eighty nine workers were surveyed to the questionnaire on general and occupational characteristics, receipt of the examination result, perception and attitudes toward special health examination, contentedness with post-health care performance on the examination result and reason not to have post-health care performance. The results were as follows: 1. The employee in large enterprise perform post-health care higher than medium sized enterprises and main control method was taking ear protective device. The 27.5% of workers with NJHL did not perform any post-health care. 2. Comparing with large enterprise, medium-sized enterprises had more interview with workers of NJHL and some enterprises performed more health education and more improvement of working environment. But there were a few medium-sized enterprises which did not provide ear protective device and had indifference manager. 3. The variables that significantly related to the post-health care of manager side was receipt of health examination result(p < 0.05), the post-health care of worker side were size of enterprise, age(p <0.05) and receipt of health examination result(p <0. 1).

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Comparison of Diagnostic Criteria of Noise Induced Hearing Loss using Special Periodic Health Examination Data in Korea: Joohon Sung, Soo Hun Cho, Daehee Kang, Yeong Su Ju, Mi Na Ha, Ho Jang Kwon, Dork Ro Yun, Sangwhan Han; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1996;8(3):509-518. Published online December 31, 1996; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1996.8.3.509

Abstract PDF

Although noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most prevalent occupational disease in Korea, only 10% of the diagnosed cases are compensated. Old (1989-94) and current diagnostic criteria, criteria for workers' compensation of NIHL in Korea, compensation formulas of American Medical Association/American association of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology (AMA/AAOO), the Committee on Hearing, Bio-Acoustics, Biomechanics (CHABA), American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) recommendation were compared. Each criterion was applied on the audiomety data of 4044 workers (8023 ears), who had received the second line screening test of Special Periodic Health Examination Program for noise-exposed workers during 1991-2. First, the resulting proportions of NIHL cases by employing each criterion were compared and strength of agreement was measured using kappa value. Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS) was corrected by noise free interval, and the reduction ratio of NIHL cases was calculated. Theoretical progression model of NIHL was reconstructed from previous studies on the natural course of NIHL to evaluate the change of diagnosis result of each criterion in the model. The kappa value between old and current criteria was 0.19, 0.55 for current criteria and workers' corn. criteria, ranging from 0.08 to 0.78, highest coincidence was observed between current criteria and CHABA formula. The current criteria produce most similar results with CHABA formula. If TTS is corrected for NFI, there is about 14 % reduction of NIHL cases. The results of applying on NIHL progression model divided the formulas roughly into 3 groups, of which compensation criteria was the most, old criteria and AAO the least conservative. In conclusion. The result of 4 KHZ audiometry should be excluded in evaluation of hearing level and a new hearing conservation program should be set out. Current diagnostic criteria has an ambiguity in that managerial concept for prevention arid! purpose of compensation is mixed up. The current diagnostic criteria and compensation criteria could be incorporated'into 'a new formula which is based on the state of the art test for estimating everyday hearing disability.

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Noise-induced hearing loss in Asia
Adrian Fuente, Louise Hickson
International Journal of Audiology.2011; 50(sup1): S3. CrossRef

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