Documents hearing loss 28 results

"Objectives This study explored the effects of occupational exposure to solvents and noise on the hearing of rotogravure printing workers from São Paulo, Brazil.
Methods The study group comprised 124 workers exposed to various levels of noise and an organic solvent mixture of toluene, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. Data on work history, psychosocial aspects of the job, medical history, present health, stress, occupational and nonoccupational exposures to noise or chemicals, and life-style factors were collected through an interview. The participants underwent pure-tone audiometry and immittance audiometry testing. Their exposures to noise and solvents were assessed.
Results Forty-nine percent of the workers had hearing loss. From the numerous variables that were analyzed for their contribution to the development of hearing loss (age, tenure, noise dose, solvent concentrations in air, biological marker for toluene, job category, work and medical history items, smoking, alcohol consumption, work perception scores, nonoccupational exposures), age and hippuric acid (the biologic marker for toluene in urine) were the only variables that met the significance level criterion in the final multiple logistic regression model. The odds ratio estimates for hearing loss were 1.07 times greater for each increment of 1 year of age [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.03--1.11] and 1.76 times greater for each gram of hippuric acid per gram of creatinine (95% CI 1.00--2.98).
Conclusion The findings suggest that exposure to toluene has a toxic effect on the auditory system. Further research is needed on the mechanisms underlying the effects of toluene and on the adequacy of current recommended exposure limits."

"A practical and thorough guide to the early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of occupational diseases. Since many of these diseases are reversible when treated promptly, the book concentrates on information that can help physicians recognize the specific biochemical, morphological, and functional changes that precede the appearance of manifest signs and symptoms. Preventive measures that can be applied to the work environment are also considered. The most extensive part of the book sets forth practical guidelines for the early detection and control of 28 occupational diseases classified according to the hazardous substances or conditions that cause them. Clinical information includes details on the best methods for assessing exposure, signs and symptoms associated with various stages of impairment or disease, relationships between exposure levels and clinical effects, prognosis, differential diagnosis, and individual differences in susceptibility. The book also features seven chapters organized according to the main organs and systems affected by occupational diseases. Each chapter presents information on the most common occupational disorders affecting the organ or system, the pathophysiological mechanisms involved, and the most appropriate clinical examinations and tests for early detection of impairment"

"Background
Twenty-two million workers are exposed to hazardous noise in the United States. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of hearing loss among U.S. industries.
Methods
We examined 2000–2008 audiograms for male and female workers ages 18–65, who had higher occupational noise exposures than the general population. Prevalence and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) for hearing loss were estimated and compared across industries.
Results
In our sample, 18% of workers had hearing loss. When compared with the Couriers and Messengers industry sub-sector, workers employed in Mining (PR?=?1.65, CI?=?1.57–1.73), Wood Product Manufacturing (PR?=?1.65, CL?=?1.61–1.70), Construction of Buildings (PR?=?1.52, CI?=?1.45–1.59), and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (PR?=?1.59, CL?=?1.51–1.68) had higher risks for hearing loss.
Conclusions
Workers in the Mining, Manufacturing, and Construction industries need better engineering controls for noise and stronger hearing conservation strategies. More hearing loss research is also needed within traditional “low-risk” industries like Real Estate."

"In het boekje Ziek van je werk, een boekje open over beroepsziekten wordt tussentijds de balans opgemaakt. Dit gebeurt aan de hand van de persoonlijke verhalen van zeven cliënten, die gezamenlijk min of meer representatief zijn voor het cliëntenbestand van het bureau. Zes beroepsziekten komen aan bod: burn out, lawaaidoofheid, RSI, contacteczeem, OPS, rugklachten. Uitgaande van de zeven verhalen wordt stilgestaan bij de oorzaken van beroepsziekten, de manier waarop medici en andere professionals met slachtoffers omgaan, de kwaliteit van reïntegratie, de claimbeoordeling door de verzekeraars en - bovenal - wat we kunnen doen om beroepsziekten te voorkomen."