Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

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.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

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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Original Article

Relationship of Aircraft-noise and the Result of Audiological Evaluation Among Residents Near U.S. Military Airbases in Pyeongtaek City: Jong Do Jeong, Hyunjoo Kim, Jae Yun Jung, Sangchul Roh, Ho Jang Kwon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;21(2):154-164. Published online June 30, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2009.21.2.154

Abstract PDF

Objective: To investigate the relationship between aircraft noise and the results of audiological evaluation on tinnitus and hearing loss among residents near United States military air-bases in Pyeongtaek city.
METHODS
Residents (n=492) exposed to aircraft noise were selected from eight villages near U.S. military air-bases (K-55 and K-6) in Pyeongtaek city. Residents (n=200) from five villages located at least 10 km away from the air-base were selected for the control group. All participants completed a questionnaire on tinnitus and audiological evaluations included pure tone audiometry (PTA) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). Statistical analyses involved a general linear model and multiple logistic regression stratified by gender and data was adjusted by age, educational level, stress response index and noise type (i.e. military, agricultural and occupational).
RESULTS
The equivalent noise levels (Leq) in the vicinity of the air-field were 73.4~81.5 dB (A). Tinnitus prevalence was 47.3% and odds ratio (OR) was 2.06 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09~3.88) among noise-exposed males. Tinnitus prevalence was 50.8% and OR was 1.97(95% CI: 1.17~3.30) among noise-exposed females. Tinnitus handicap scores among exposed group were significantly higher in functional, emotional, and catastrophic subclasses (p<0.001). PTA revealed hearing thresholds among the exposed group of 0.5 and 1 kHz (male right ear), 0.5 and 1 kHz (female left ear) and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 kHz on female right ear that were significantly higher than those of the unexposed group. No significant difference in DPOAE was observed among noise-exposed males. However, significant differences were evident for noise-exposed females at 3175 and 4007 Hz. ORs of right female ears 3175 and 4007 Hz were 1.73(95% CI: 1.01~2.99) and 1.78(95% CI: 1.01~3.15). ORs of left female ears at 3175 Hz and 4007 Hz were 1.92(95% CI: 1.10~3.36) and 2.71(95% CI: 1.49~4.91) CONCLUSIONS: Aircraft noise may adversely affect hearing function and tinnitus.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Occupational Hearing Loss in Korea
Kyoo Sang Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S62. CrossRef

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Original Article

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

Abstract PDF

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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Case Report

Atypical Noise-induced Hearing Loss As a Workers'Impairment Criteria: Kyoo Sang Kim, Moon Suh Park, Seong Kyu Kang; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002;14(3):334-345. Published online September 30, 2002; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2002.14.3.334

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
The problem of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) was objectively and systematically investigated by diagnosing three workers who complained of tinnitus and hearing disturbance.
METHODS
Atypical hearing loss is diagnosed as a work-related disease by using general medical methods, such as environmental survey, neurological examination, otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, otoacoustic emissions (OAE), auditory-evoked potentials, and interview on the history of past disease, family and occupation.
RESULTS
Three results were found according to the work-related hearing loss as follows; (1) hearing loss that is caused by exposure to continuous noise of less than 85 dB(A) or impact noise of greater than 135 dB peak, (2) mixed hearing loss that has progressed due to noise with past otitis media, and (3) atypical hearing loss that showed remarkable differences between air and bone conduction due to tinnitus.
CONCLUSIONS
The criteria for work-related hearing loss should be carefully investigated by considering exposure to impact noise, the effect of continuous noise on mixed hearing loss patients, and the hearing loss caused by tinnitus.

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