A Study of Noise Exposure and Hearing Sensitivity in a High School Woodworking Class

The purpose of this study was to determine if noise in a high school woodworking class could contribute to the incidence of hearing loss. Students in the woodworking class served as the experimental group, and students in a technical drawing class were the control group. Four separate experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 consisted of measuring and comparing the sound levels in the woodworking and the technical drawing class environments. In Experiment 2, dosimetry samples of the students in both classrooms were collected. In Experiment 3, the temporary threshold shifts (TTSs) were determined for students in both groups by assessing hearing thresholds at the beginning and end of a single class period. The focus of Experiment 4 was to determine if a threshold shift had occurred in the hearing of the students in the woodworking class over a semester. Results of this study suggest that hazardous noise levels in the high school woodworking shop caused statistically significant TTS among the students. Relatively low noise doses were recorded, but no significant changes in hearing thresholds from the beginning to the end of the semester were noted. It was concluded that repeated noise exposure in a woodworking class may be a contributing factor to hearing loss among a student population and that a hearing conservation program should be instituted in these high school environments.

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Noise Levels Among Spectators at an Intercollegiate Sporting Event

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/1059-0889(2013/12-0071) ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 71-78 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Beau England ◽

Jeffery Blythe Larsen

Keyword(s):

Otoacoustic Emissions ◽

Noise Exposure ◽

Sporting Events ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Hearing Sensitivity ◽

Distortion Product ◽

Sound Levels ◽

Basketball Game ◽

Hearing Thresholds ◽

The Impact

Purpose The intensity of noise levels in a basketball arena during games, as well as the hearing sensitivity of attendees, was measured for the purpose of assessing the impact of the noise on hearing thresholds. Method Noise levels at 10 intercollegiate basketball games were measured with a dosimeter affixed on the shoulders of attendees. Hearing thresholds and distortion product otoacoustic emissions were measured for 20 participants just before attending a basketball game and within an hour of the end of the game to determine whether changes in hearing thresholds resulted from exposure to the sound levels within the arena during the games. Results Participants demonstrated temporary shifts in pure-tone thresholds and reductions in the intensity of their otoacoustic emissions after attendance at 1 of the basketball games. Dosimeter measurements showed that noise at 6 of the 10 basketball games exceeded acceptable intensity levels when compared with a national workplace noise exposure standard. Conclusion Although noise intensities, on average, did not exceed workplace exposure standards, universities would be wise to be proactive in warning spectators about the potential dangers of noise exposure at sporting events, make earplugs available to interested spectators, and implement a hearing conservation program for employees working in noise.

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Vocal Performance Teachers and Hearing Loss

Perspectives on Public Health Issues Related to Hearing and Balance ◽

10.1044/phi16.1.15 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 15-24

Author(s):

Vance Gunnell ◽

Jeff Larsen

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Otoacoustic Emissions ◽

Noise Exposure ◽

Vocal Performance ◽

Occupational Noise ◽

Hearing Conservation ◽

Occupational Noise Exposure ◽

Distortion Product ◽

Hearing Thresholds ◽

Performance Teachers

Hearing thresholds and distortion product otoacoustic emissions were measured for teachers of vocal performance who were gathered for a national conference. Results showed mean audiometric thresholds to be consistent with noise induced hearing loss, more than what would be expected with normal aging. Years of instruction and age were considered as factors in the hearing loss observed. It was concluded that hearing conservation should be initiated with this group to help raise awareness and protect them from hearing loss due to occupational noise exposure.

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Effect of Phlorofucofuroeckol A and Dieckol Extracted from Ecklonia cava on Noise-induced Hearing Loss in a Mouse Model

Marine Drugs ◽

10.3390/md19080443 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (8) ◽

pp. 443

Author(s):

Hyunjun Woo ◽

Min-Kyung Kim ◽

Sohyeon Park ◽

Seung-Hee Han ◽

Hyeon-Cheol Shin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Hair Cell ◽

Noise Exposure ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Threshold Shift ◽

Ecklonia Cava ◽

Control Group ◽

Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽

Antioxidant Agents ◽

Brainstem Response

One of the well-known causes of hearing loss is noise. Approximately 31.1% of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 years (61.1 million people) have high-frequency hearing loss associated with noise exposure. In addition, recurrent noise exposure can accelerate age-related hearing loss. Phlorofucofuroeckol A (PFF-A) and dieckol, polyphenols extracted from the brown alga Ecklonia cava, are potent antioxidant agents. In this study, we investigated the effect of PFF-A and dieckol on the consequences of noise exposure in mice. In 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay, dieckol and PFF-A both showed significant radical-scavenging activity. The mice were exposed to 115 dB SPL of noise one single time for 2 h. Auditory brainstem response(ABR) threshold shifts 4 h after 4 kHz noise exposure in mice that received dieckol were significantly lower than those in the saline with noise group. The high-PFF-A group showed a lower threshold shift at click and 16 kHz 1 day after noise exposure than the control group. The high-PFF-A group also showed higher hair cell survival than in the control at 3 days after exposure in the apical turn. These results suggest that noise-induced hair cell damage in cochlear and the ABR threshold shift can be alleviated by dieckol and PFF-A in the mouse. Derivatives of these compounds may be applied to individuals who are inevitably exposed to noise, contributing to the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss with a low probability of adverse effects.

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Role of CASP7 polymorphisms in noise-induced hearing loss risk in Han Chinese population

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-81391-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yanmei Ruan ◽

Jinwei Zhang ◽

Shiqi Mai ◽

Wenfeng Zeng ◽

Lili Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Chinese Population ◽

Conditional Logistic Regression ◽

Han Chinese ◽

Control Group ◽

Environment Interaction ◽

Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽

Han Chinese Population ◽

Hearing Thresholds ◽

Increased Risk

AbstractGenetic factors and gene-environment interaction may play an important role in the development of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). 191 cases and 191 controls were selected by case–control study. Among them, case groups were screened from workers exposed to noise in binaural high-frequency hearing thresholds greater than 25 dB (A). Workers with hearing thresholds ≤ 25 dB (A) in any binaural frequency band were selected to the control group, based on matching factors such as age, exposure time to noise, and operating position. The blood samples from two groups of workers were subjected to DNA extraction and SNP sequencing of CASP3 and CASP7 genes using the polymerase chain reaction ligase detection reaction method. Conditional logistic regression correction was used to analyze the genetic variation associated with susceptibility to NIHL. There was an association between rs2227310 and rs4353229 of the CASP7 gene and the risk of NIHL. Compared with the GG genotype, the CC genotype of rs2227310 reduced the risk of NIHL. Compared with CC genotype, the TT genotype of rs4353229 reduced the risk of NIHL. Workers carrying the rs2227310GG and rs4353229CC genotype had an increased risk of NIHL compared to workers without any high-risk genotype. There were additive interaction and multiplication interaction between CASP7rs2227310 and CNE, and the same interaction between CASP7rs4353229 and CNE. The interaction between the CASP7 gene and CNE significantly increased the risk of NIHL. The genetic polymorphisms of CASP7rs2227310GG and CASP7rs4353229CC were associated with an increased risk of NIHL in Han Chinese population and have the potential to act as biomarkers for noise-exposed workers.

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The Auditory Steady State Response in Individuals with Neurological Insult of the Central Auditory Nervous System

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology ◽

10.3766/jaaa.18.10.3 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 826-845 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jennifer B. Shinn ◽

Frank E. Musiek

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Steady State ◽

Neurological Impairment ◽

Control Group ◽

Steady State Response ◽

Hearing Sensitivity ◽

State Response ◽

Behavioral Thresholds ◽

Auditory Steady State Response ◽

Neurological Insult

The auditory steady state response (ASSR) has recently gained attention with respect to estimates of hearing sensitivity and configuration of hearing loss. The present investigation compared behavioral thresholds to estimated ASSR thresholds in subjects with confirmed CANS lesions to determine if this population can be accurately evaluated with ASSR techniques. Comparisons were made between the experimental group and a normal control group matched for age and hearing sensitivity. ASSR thresholds were obtained for the carrier frequencies of 500 and 2000 Hz with a 46 Hz modulation rate and compared to behavioral thresholds. Within and between group comparisons were made. The control group demonstrated strong correlation between their behavioral and estimated ASSR thresholds which significantly contrasted the neurological group. Additionally, individuals with neurological impairment of the CANS exhibited elevated thresholds that were on average 24 dB greater at 2000 Hz than their behavioral thresholds. These results suggest that individuals with neurological insult may appear as hearing impaired or having greater hearing loss than is actually present. As a result, the ASSR may demonstrate the potential to assist in the detection of CANS dysfunction. Las respuestas auditivas de estado estable (ASSR) han ganado atención recientemente con respecto a la estimación de la sensibilidad auditiva y la configuración de la pérdida auditiva. La presente investigación comparó los umbrales conductuales con umbrales estimados por ASSR en sujetos con lesiones CANS confirmadas para determinar si esta población podía ser evaluada con exactitud por medio de técnicas de ASSR. Las comparaciones se realizaron entre el grupo experimental y un grupo control normal ordenados por edad y sensibilidad auditiva. Los umbrales de los ASSR se obtuvieron por medio de frecuencias portadoras de 500 y 2000 Hz, con una tasa de modulación de 46 Hz y se compararon con los umbrales conductuales. Se realizaron comparaciones entre los grupos y dentro de un mismo grupo. El grupo de control mostró una fuerte correlación entre sus umbrales conductuales y los estimados por ASSR, que contrastó significativamente con el grupo neurológico. Adicionalmente, los individuos con un trastorno neurológico de CANS exhibieron umbrales elevados que fueron en promedio 24 dB más alto en 2000 Hz que sus umbrales conductuales. Estos resultados sugieren que los individuos con alteraciones neurológicas pueden lucir como alterados auditivamente o teniendo una pérdida auditiva mayor de la realidad. Como resultados, los ASSR puede demostrar el potencial para ayudar en la detección de la disfunción por CANS.

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Protective effect of Nigella sativa oil on acoustic trauma induced hearing loss in rats

Audiology Research ◽

10.4081/audiores.2017.181 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Belde Culhaoglu ◽

Selim S. Erbek ◽

Seyra Erbek ◽

Evren Hizal

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Protective Effect ◽

Nigella Sativa ◽

Acoustic Trauma ◽

Female Rats ◽

Auditory Brainstem Responses ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Intensity Level ◽

Hearing Thresholds

Acoustic trauma is a common reason for hearing loss. Different agents are used to prevent the harmful effect of acoustic trauma on hearing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential preventive effect of Nigella sativa (black cumin) oil in acoustic trauma. Our experimental study was conducted with 20 Sprague Downey female rats (mean age, 12 months; mean weight 250 g). All of the procedures were held under general anesthesia. Following otoscopic examinations, baseline-hearing thresholds were obtained using auditory brainstem responses (ABR). To create acoustic trauma, the rats were then exposed to white band noise of 4 kHz with an intensity level of 107 dB in a soundproof testing room. On Day 1 following acoustic trauma, hearing threshold measurements were repeated. The rats were divided into two groups as the study group (n: 10) and the controls (n: 10). 2 mL/kg/day of Nigella sativa oil was given to the rats in the study group orally. On Day 4 following acoustic trauma, ABR measurements were repeated again. There was no difference between the baseline hearing thresholds of the rats before acoustic trauma (P>0.005). After the acoustic trauma, hearing thresholds were increased and there was no significant statistically difference between the hearing thresholds of the study and control groups (P=0.979). At the 4th day following acoustic trauma, hearing thresholds of the rats in control group were found to be higher than those in the study group (P=0.03). Our results suggest that Nigella sativa oil has a protective effect against acoustic trauma in early period. This finding should be supported with additional experimental and clinical studies, especially to determine the optimal dose, duration and frequency of potential Nigella sativa oil therapy.

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Partial Hearing Restoration after ERBB2 Induction in Deafened Adult Mice

10.1101/838649 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jingyuan Zhang ◽

Daxiang Na ◽

Miriam Dilts ◽

Kenneth S. Henry ◽

Patricia M. White

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Noise Exposure ◽

Supporting Cell ◽

Supporting Cells ◽

Adult Mice ◽

Hearing Thresholds ◽

Brainstem Response ◽

Noise Damage ◽

Cochlear Supporting Cells

AbstractNoise induced hearing loss (NIHL) affects over ten million adults in the United States, and there is no biological treatment to restore endogenous function after damage. We hypothesized that activation of signaling from ERBB2 receptors in cochlear supporting cells could mitigate NIHL damage. We used the Tet-On genetic expression system to drive a constitutively active variant of ERBB2 (CA-ERBB2) in cochlear supporting cells three days after permanent noise damage in young adult mice. Hearing thresholds were assessed with auditory brainstem response tests prior to noise damage, and hearing recovery was assessed over a three month period. We evaluated supporting cell proliferation, inner and outer hair cell (IHC and OHC) survival, synaptic preservation, and IHC cytoskeletal alterations with histological techniques. Mice harboring CA-ERBB2 capability had similar hearing thresholds to control littermates prior to and immediately after noise exposure, and incurred similar levels of permanent hearing loss. Two and three months after noise exposure, CA-ERBB2+ mice demonstrated a partial but significant reversal of NIHL threshold shifts at the lowest frequency tested, out of five frequencies (n=19 total mice, p=0.0015, ANOVA). We also observed improved IHC and OHC survival (n=7 total cochleae, p=5 × 10−5, Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test). There was no evidence for sustained supporting cell proliferation. Some mortality was associated with doxycycline and furosemide treatments to induce the Tet-ON system. These data suggest that ERBB2 signaling in supporting cells promotes HC repair and some functional recovery. Funded by NIH R01 DC014261, and grants from the Schmitt Foundation and UR Ventures.

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Hearing loss as a predictor for hearing protection attenuation among miners

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oemed-2020-106838 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. oemed-2020-106838

Author(s):

Elon D Ullman ◽

Lauren M Smith ◽

Marjorie C McCullagh ◽

Richard L Neitzel

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Noise Exposure ◽

Hearing Threshold ◽

Weighted Average ◽

Hearing Protection ◽

Mining Sites ◽

Speech In Noise ◽

Midwestern Usa ◽

Hearing Thresholds ◽

Fit Testing

ObjectiveThis study investigated risk factors for poor earplug fit, with a focus on the association between hearing loss and personal attenuation ratings (PARs).MethodsEarplug fit was assessed by obtaining PARs using a real ear at attenuation threshold (REAT) system. Hearing loss was assessed using the unoccluded hearing thresholds measured during the REAT testing and the results of a speech-in-noise test. Potential predictors of PARs were modelled using both simple and multiple linear regression. Hearing loss was the primary predictor of interest.ResultsData were collected from 200 workers at ten above-ground mining sites in the Midwestern USA. Workers reported wearing their hearing protection on average 73.9% of the time in a high noise environment (mean 8-hour time-weighted average noise exposure 85.5 dBA, range 65–103 dBA). One-quarter (26.7%) of workers were found to have a hearing loss (hearing threshold ≥25 dB across 1–4 kHz), and 42% reported symptoms of tinnitus. Workers with a hearing loss had a significantly lower PAR than those without a hearing loss (β=−5.1, SE=1.7).ConclusionsThe results of the adjusted regression models suggest that workers with hearing loss achieved significantly lower PARs than those without hearing loss. This association between hearing loss and hearing protection devices (HPD) fit brings into focus the potential benefit of fit checks to be included in hearing conservation programmes. Workers found to have hearing loss should be prioritised for fit testing, as their hearing impairment may be associated with poor HPD fit.

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Evaluation of Hearing and Balance Functions of Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia

Audiology and Neurotology ◽

10.1159/000492171 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 122-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Elif Tugba Sarac ◽

Bilgehan Boke ◽

Semsettin Okuyucu

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Sickle Cell Anemia ◽

Pure Tone ◽

Mixed Type ◽

Normal Hearing ◽

Spontaneous Nystagmus ◽

Control Group ◽

Hearing Thresholds ◽

Significant Difference

Introduction: Sickle cell anemia is a disease characterized by a wide vaso-occlusive incident from micro-vascular incident to muscularactivity. The cochlear function can also get affected by this vaso-occlusion. Objective: It is aimed at determining what kind of effects sickle cell anemia has on hearing and balance system. Methods: This study has been conducted on 46 patients with sickle cell anemia and 45 healthy individuals. For all participants, their pure tone hearing thresholds and videonystagmography (VNG) findings have been determined in 17 frequencies between 125–16.000 Hz. Results: All hearing thresholds between 125 and 16,000 Hz, pure tone averages of patients with sickle cell anemia have been found statistically significant to be higher than the corresponding values in the control group(p < 0.05). The normal hearing rate of patients with sickle cell anemia has been determined to be 71.1% conductive hearing loss (CHL) to be 4.4%, sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) to be 22.2%, and mixed type hearing loss to be 2.2% in right ear; the normal hearing rate has been determined to be 71.1%, CHL to be 2.2%, SNHL to be 22.2%, and mixed type hearing loss to be 4.4% in left ear. Statistically significant difference has not been found between head shake, spontaneous nystagmus, optokinetic, tracking test batteries, static and dynamic positional tests used in VNG, saccade accuracy and saccade peak velocity, which are saccadic test findings of 2 groups. However, saccadic latency, which is a saccadic test finding, has been determined to be longer in patients with sickle cell anemia in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: While sickle cell anemia causes hearing deficits, it does not have any effect on the central or peripheral vestibular system.

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Analysis of Click and Swept-Tone Auditory Brainstem Response Results for Moderate and Severe Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Audiology and Neurotology ◽

10.1159/000507691 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (6) ◽

pp. 336-344

Author(s):

Jingqian Tan ◽

Jia Luo ◽

Xin Wang ◽

Yanbing Jiang ◽

Xiangli Zeng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽

Auditory Brainstem Response ◽

Basilar Membrane ◽

Auditory Brainstem ◽

Sensorineural Hearing ◽

Control Group ◽

Hearing Sensitivity ◽

Brainstem Response ◽

Frequency Components

Introduction: Auditory brainstem response (ABR) is one of the commonly used methods in clinical settings to evaluate the hearing sensitivity and auditory function. The current ABR measurement usually adopts click sound as the stimuli. However, there may be partial ABR amplitude attenuation due to the delay characteristics of the cochlear traveling wave along the basilar membrane. To solve that problem, a swept-tone method was proposed, in which the show-up time of different frequency components was adjusted to compensate the delay characteristics of the cochlear basilar membrane; therefore, different ABR subcomponents of different frequencies were synchronized. Methods: The normal hearing group, moderate sensorineural hearing loss group, and severe sensorineural hearing loss group underwent click ABR and swept-tone ABR with different stimulus intensities. The latencies and amplitudes of waves I, III, and V in 2 detections were recorded. Results: It was found that the latency of each of the recorded I, III, and V waves detected by swept-tone ABR was shorter than that by click ABR in both the control group and experimental groups. In addition, the amplitude of each of the recorded I, III, and V waves, except V waves under 60 dB nHL in the moderate sensorineural hearing loss group, detected by swept-tone ABR was larger than that by click ABR. The results also showed that the swept-tone ABR could measure the visible V waves at lower stimulus levels in the severe sensorineural hearing loss group. Conclusion: Swept-tone improves the ABR waveforms and helps to obtain more accurate threshold to some extent. Therefore, the proposed swept-tone ABR may provide a new solution for better morphology of ABR waveform, which can help to make more accurate diagnosis about the hearing functionality in the clinic.

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