Relationship between occupational noise exposure and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease in China

Abstract Purpose of Review Workplace noise negatively impacts health, and noise-induced hearing loss is the most common work-related disease in many countries. Occupational noise may also cause cardiovascular disease, and there is epidemiologic evidence on the non-auditory effects of noise. This paper aims to briefly present and summarize the latest evidence on the auditory and non-auditory health effects of occupational noise exposure from the last 5 years. Recent Findings Two systematic reviews assessing the cardiovascular effects of occupational noise exposure were published in the last year. Our own recent review found convincing evidence of an association between occupational noise exposure > 80 dB(A) and hypertension and a dose-response relationship between noise exposure and hypertension risk. Another review of cardiovascular disease conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) found an increased risk of incident ischemic heart disease at noise exposures ≥ 85 dB(A). Recent reviews on work-related injuries, diabetes, acoustic neuroma, and pregnancy outcomes also find noise-related associations. Summary Evidence of an association between occupational noise and cardiovascular outcomes was recently evaluated. We found the risk of hypertension increases with a clear dose-response relationship at noise levels > 80 dB(A). The WHO/ILO review highlights the lack of quality research including women. Additional high-quality research on epigenetic effects, oxidative stress, work-related injuries, diabetes, acoustic neuroma, and pregnancy outcomes is also needed. Urgently needed (increased) measures of workplace noise reduction will reduce the incidence of noise-induced hearing loss and help prevent cardiovascular diseases, especially hypertension.

Download Full-text

Self-reported occupational noise exposure and cardiovascular disease in Canada: Results from the Canadian Health Measures Survey

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America ◽

10.1121/10.0005588 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 150 (2) ◽

pp. 990-1000 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David S. Michaud ◽

Leonora Marro ◽

James P. McNamee

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Noise Exposure ◽

Occupational Noise ◽

Occupational Noise Exposure ◽

Health Measures ◽

Canadian Health ◽

Canadian Health Measures Survey

Download Full-text

Explaining better hearing in Norway: A comparison of two HUNT cohorts 20 years apart

10.21203/rs.3.rs-113073/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Bo Engdahl ◽

Hein Stigum ◽

Lisa Aarhus

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Noise Exposure ◽

Health Study ◽

Occupational Noise ◽

Industrialized Countries ◽

High Frequencies ◽

Occupational Noise Exposure ◽

Hearing Function ◽

Ear Infections ◽

Inference Methods

Abstract Background The hearing function at a given age seems to have improved in more recent born cohorts in industrialized countries. But the reasons for the improvement have not yet been explained. Methods We investigated the extent to which better hearing in Norway is attributed to modifiable risk factors by using representative demographic and audiometric data from two cohorts of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, HUNT2 (1996-1998) and HUNT4 (2017-2019). We estimated natural indirect effects using causal inference methods in order to assess whether cohort improvement in hearing thresholds (HTs) was mediated by occupational noise exposure, recurrent ear infections, smoking and education. Results The improvement in HTs from HUNT2 to HUNT4 was 2.8 and 3.0 dB at low respectively high frequencies. Together all risk factors mediated this improvement by 0.8 dB (95% CI 0.7-0.9) and 0.8 dB (95% CI 0.7-0.9) respectively, corresponding to mediated proportions of 27 and 28 percent. Substantial mediation was specifically found for occupational noise in men and recurrent ear infections in women (mediated proportions of 11 and 17 percent at high frequencies, respectively).Conclusions Increased education, less occupational noise exposure, ear infections and smoking contributed considerably to better hearing in Norway the last two decades.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text