scholarly journals Tinnitus in Noise Exposed Workers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Bai ◽  
Jianping Yu ◽  
Hong Du ◽  
Zhuang Shen ◽  
Hongyan Yang

Abstract Background Tinnitus in noise exposed workers is worse, which seriously affects the normal life and work. Workers with tinnitus often complain that even going to see the doctor is ineffective. They think tinnitus is caused by occupational noise exposure, which makes tinnitus worse. To find the truth the investigation and analysis of tinnitus including reason, treatment and effect and hearing level was proceeded among all noise-exposed workers in railway transportation mechanical manufacturers in Beijing in 2015. Methods Cross-section study was conducted. 519 noise-exposed workers were selected as exposed group, 515 non noise-exposed workers were selected as control group. Self-designed questionnaire was used in the way of face-to-face to get subjects’ information including social statistical data, occupational history, past history and living habits. Results The incidence of tinnitus was 36.6% among noise-exposed workers, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (χ2 = 40.725, P < 0.05). Meanwhile the incidence of seeing the doctor was 15.8%. The incidence of tinnitus was significantly different in different subgroups of exposed group (χ2 = 6.072, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between using earphones and tinnitus (P > 0.05). In the exposed group the incidence of hearing abnormal in workers with tinnitus was significantly higher than those without tinnitus (χ2 = 18.570, P < 0.05). Conclusions Right knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) would be helpful for workers with tinnitus. Occupational health education and supervision of noise-exposed workers should be further strengthened in this industry. Personal protection should be enhanced so as to improve occupational health.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Bai ◽  
Jianping Yu ◽  
Hong Du ◽  
Zhuang Shen ◽  
Hongyan Yang

Abstract Background: Tinnitus in noise exposed workers is worse, which seriously affects the normal life and work. Workers with tinnitus often complain that even going to see the doctor is ineffective. They think tinnitus is caused by occupational noise exposure, which makes tinnitus worse. To find the truth the investigation and analysis of tinnitus including reason, treatment and effect and hearing level was proceeded among all noise-exposed workers in railway transportation mechanical manufacturers in Beijing in 2015. Methods: Cross-section study was conducted. 519 noise-exposed workers were selected as exposed group, 515 non noise-exposed workers were selected as control group. Self-designed questionnaire was used in the way of face-to-face to get subjects’ information including social statistical data, occupational history, past history and living habits. Results: The incidence of tinnitus was 36.6% among noise-exposed workers, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (c2= 40.725, P < 0.05). Meanwhile the incidence of seeing the doctor was 15.8%. The incidence of tinnitus was significantly different in different subgroups of exposed group (c2= 6.072, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between using earphones and tinnitus (P > 0.05). In the exposed group the incidence of hearing abnormal in workers with tinnitus was significantly higher than those without tinnitus (c2= 18.570, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Right knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) would be helpful for workers with tinnitus. Occupational health education and supervision of noise-exposed workers should be further strengthened in this industry. Personal protection should be enhanced so as to improve occupational health.


1990 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subodh K. Rastogi ◽  
Brahma N. Gupta ◽  
Neeraj Mathur ◽  
Tanveer Husain ◽  
Prakash N. Mahendra

This paper reports a cross-sectional study of a non-smoking population of silica exposed female workers compared with a group of healthy non-exposed females. The exposed group is divided into cohorts according to the presence or absence of pneumoconiosis in either simple or complex form. The study revealed statistically significant difference in pulmonary function between each of the pneumoconiosis group and the controls and healthy exposed workers. Furthermore, there was statistically significant difference between the values of pulmonary function parameters of the healthy exposed group and the controls. The most important observation of the study is that almost equal decrement of pulmonary function values was observed in the diseased groups and in the healthy exposed group compared to the decrement seen between the latter group and the control group. VC and FVC showed a mean fall of 11.0 and 11.5% in the healthy exposed group as compared to those observed in the unexposed controls (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) while in the pneumoconiosis group VC and FVC showed 16.9 and 18.2% decrease as compared with the values obtained in the healthy grinders (p < 0.01). Similarly FEV1 showed almost same decrease in the healthy (17.9%) and diseased (20.7%) exposed groups (p < 0.001). However, FEV0.75 and MVV parameters showed greater decrement (25.4 and 33.7%) in the pneumoconiosis group as compared to 15.7 and 18.5% observed in the healthy exposed workers. The important observation made in this study is that potential pulmonary debilitation may occur in pneumoconiosis before, or in the absence of, any radiologic findings.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Bai ◽  
Jianping Yu ◽  
Hong Du ◽  
Zhuang Shen ◽  
Hongyan Yang

Abstract Background: Occupational noise is the most common hazards in the workplaces. Noise exposure may induce tinnitus (ringing in the ears), which seriously affects workers’ normal life, even impair their work performance. To investigate associations between if respondents are awareness of tinnitus induced by occupational noise (Knowledge), what the viewpoint they have (Attitude) and how they cope with it (Practice). Methods: A questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted. 519 noise-exposed workers in railway transportation mechanical manufacturers were recruited as the exposed group. 515 non noise-exposed workers as the control group. To investigate the effects of noise exposure level, the exposed group was classified into 4 subgroups according to sound level measurements reported by industrial hygienists., while the exposed group was categorized into 3 subgroups according to usage of personal hearing protection device (PHPD). Questionnaire was focused on medical history, occupational history, life habits and tinnitus for all participants. Qualified audiologists assessed hearing threshold by using standardized audio-metric procedures assuring at least 48 h of noise avoidance.Results: The prevalence of tinnitus were 36.6% and 18.8% in the exposed group and in the control group, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (c2=40.725, P<0.05). The prevalence of tinnitus were 36.2%, 20.5% and 41.7% in 3 using PHPD subgroups of the exposed group. The difference was statistically significant (c2=6.072, P<0.05). The prevalence of tinnitus were 34.7%,8.3%,63.6% and 54.0% in 4 sound level subgroups. The difference was statistically significant (c2trend=30.491, P < 0.05). The percentage of clinic visit for tinnitus was 15.8% in the exposed group. 93.2% workers claimed tinnitus symptoms were unimproved since they still heard buzzing or ringing in ears. 81.05% of them gave up treatment. The percentage of clinic visit for tinnitus was 7.2% in the control group and 99.0% workers claimed tinnitus symptoms were unimproved. Conclusions: Only when workers have awareness of tinnitus and tinnitus treatment can they have positive attitude and better practice. Noise-exposed workers should periodically attend educational courses on “taking care of your ears” and should be under the supervision.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Xia ◽  
Kangcheng Chen ◽  
Yingnan Lv ◽  
Damin Huang ◽  
Jing Liu ◽  
...  

Objectives: Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is an organic derivative of manganese (Mn) and is used as an antiknock agent and octane enhancer in gasoline. In this article, we tested the oxidative stress and heat stress protein (Hsp) 70 levels of gasoline station attendants to explore potential plasma biomarkers. Furthermore, the dose–response relationship was also identified. Methods: A total of 144 workers, including 96 petrol fillers and 48 cashiers, participated in the study. Ambient concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) and Mn were monitored at nine filling stations. During the measuring process, the individual cumulative exposure index was calculated. Plasma oxidative stress and Hsp70 levels were also analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The BTEX time-weighted average in office areas was significantly lower than in refuelling areas ( p < 0.05). In refuelling areas, the content of Mn ranged from 6.44 μg/m3 to 127.34 μg/m3, which was much higher than that in office areas (3.16–7.22 μg/m3; p < 0.05). Exposed workers had significantly different plasma oxidative stress indicators compared with the control group, respectively: superoxide dismutase (SOD), 39.18 ± 6.05 U/mL versus 52.84 ± 3.87 U/mL; glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), 186.07 ± 15.63 U versus 194.38 ± 10.42 U; and malondialdehyde (MDA), 1.68 ± 0.52 nmol/L versus 1.43 ± 0.64 nmol/L (in all comparisons, p < 0.05). Plasma Hsp70 level in the exposed group (2.77 ± 0.64 ng/mL) was significantly higher than in the control group (2.32 ± 0.87 ng/mL; p < 0.05). Furthermore, Hsp70 levels were inversely correlated with the activities of SOD ( r = −0.305) and GSH-Px ( r = −0.302) in the exposed group ( p < 0.05). Moreover, a positive correlation ( r = 0.653) was found between plasma Hsp70 levels and plasma MDA levels ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Exposure to MMT-containing gasoline may result in increasing reactive oxygen stress among filling station attendants. Plasma Hsp70 levels could be used as a sensitive responsive biomarker for exposed workers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 496-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emine Yılmaz ◽  
Funda Kavak

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of mindfulness-based psychoeducation on internalized stigma in patients with schizophrenia. The patients were recruited from the community mental health centers. This quasiexperimental study was conducted using pretests and posttests with a control group. The participants were 69 patients with schizophrenia; 34 were part of the experimental group and 35 were part of the control group. The patients in the experimental group participated 2 days a week for 6 weeks in a total of 12 sessions which were given in the form of face-to-face group training. The difference between the scale mean posttest scores of the patients in the experimental and control groups was found to be statistically significant ( p < .05). In the intragroup comparisons, a significant difference was found between the stigma mean scores in the experimental group ( p < .05). It was concluded that mindfulness-based psychoeducation was effective in reducing stigma in patients with schizophrenia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 661-668
Author(s):  
Xiumei Xing ◽  
Zhini He ◽  
Ziwei Wang ◽  
Ziying Mo ◽  
Liping Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract To explore the epigenetic alterations in response to DNA damage following polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure and the crosstalk between different epigenetic regulations, we examined trimethylated Lys 36 of histone H3 (H3K36me3) and methylation of ‘long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1)’ and ‘O 6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT)’ in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLCs) of 173 coke oven workers (PAH-exposed group) and 94 non-exposed workers (control group). The PAH-exposed group showed higher internal PAH exposure level, enhanced DNA damage and increased MGMT expression (all P &lt; 0.001). Notably, the methylation of LINE-1 and MGMT decreased by 3.9 and 40.8%, respectively, while H3K36me3 level was 1.7 times higher in PBLCs of PAH-exposed group compared to control group (all P &lt; 0.001). These three epigenetic marks were significantly associated with DNA damage degree (all P &lt; 0.001) and PAH exposure level in a dose–response manner (all P &lt; 0.001). LINE-1 hypomethylation is correlated with enhanced H3K36me3 modification (β = −0.198, P = 0.002), indicating a synergistic effect between histone modification and DNA methylation at the whole genome level. In addition, MGMT expression was positively correlated with H3K36me3 modification (r = 0.253, P &lt; 0.001), but not negatively correlated with MGMT methylation (r = 0.202, P &lt; 0.05). The in vitro study using human bronchial epithelial cells treated with the organic extract of coke oven emissions confirmed that H3K36me3 is important for MGMT expression following PAH exposure. In summary, our study indicates that histone modification and DNA methylation might have synergistic effects on DNA damage induced by PAH exposure at the whole genome level and H3K36me3 is more essential for MGMT expression during the course.


1986 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dongier ◽  
R. Tempier ◽  
M. Lalinec-Michaud ◽  
D. Meunier

Telepsychiatry (consultation carried out through 2-way interactive television) has been the object of a number of trials in the past twenty years, but to our knowledge there is no previous control study which compares CCTV and face-to-face interviews. Various aspects of the interviews carried out on CCTV were rated on a 5-point scale in questionnaires filled out by: (a) patients; (b) consultees and; (c) consultants. No significant difference was elicited with control interviews in respect to patients’ diagnosis, age and sex. CCTV interview ratings by consultee and consultant were rated only slightly below those of the control group. Such findings should encourage a broader application of interactive CCTV, particularly as a complement to live consultations in distant areas.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 133-133
Author(s):  
N. Aghakhani

IntroductionAbout 65 percent of patients with myocardial infarction experience mental and emotional problems like depression and anxiety that causes delay in the return to work, decreased quality of life and increased risk of death.The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of education on anxiety and depression in patients with myocardial infarction in Urmia hospitals in 2009.MethodsThis study was a quasi-experimental study that compares the effect of education on anxiety and depression in patients with myocardial infarction in the Urmia University of medical science hospitals. 124 patients were selected randomly and divided into two groups. The experimental group was educated through face to face training and educational booklet. Control group did not receive any intervention.Level of anxiety and depression was evaluated by using HADS questionnaire at 3 intervals after 48 hours of admission, discharge day and 2 months after discharge.ResultsThere was no significant difference between control and experimental groups before the intervention, But after the intervention, anxiety and depression in the experimental group was significantly less than controls, p < 0.05.ConclusionConsidering the beneficial results obtained from education on reducing anxiety and depression in patients with myocardial infarction, it should be one of the health care goals.


Author(s):  
Doni Ropawandi ◽  
◽  
Lilia Halim ◽  
Hazrati Husnin

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted education and has instantaneously shifted education from being conducted predominately ‘face to face’ to being totally ‘online’. For most teachers, this unexpected teaching approach has impelled them into finding ways to provide the same quality of education to their students. One way of doing this is by adopting educational technologies in learning and teaching, including the use of augmented reality (AR) technology. AR technology has been integrated into the field of physics education. In this study, the effects of AR technology on understanding of the concepts of electricity in an online learning environment for 11th-grade students was investigated. Pretest and posttest were carried out in the control group and the experimental group. The results showed that AR technology improved understanding of electrical concepts for the students in the experimental group compared to the control group, with a very significant difference between both groups. This research contributes to the development of AR technology in education, especially in relation to the teaching and learning of abstract physics concepts.


2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 1006-1015 ◽  

<div> <p>human health and the environment. The study aimed to explore the effects of exposure to pesticides on the liver functions and acetycholinesterase levels in serum (AChES) and red blood cells (AChER) of 100 male participating in agricultural work ranging in age between 20 and 60 year with mean age 37.11&plusmn;9.3. One hundred males matched for age and socio economic status were recruited as a control group to compare levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilriubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, AChES and AChER. The results indicate that AST, ALT and ALP were significantly (<em>P</em>&lt;0.05) increased in pesticide-exposed workers compared with control. There was also a highly significantly (<em>P</em>&lt;0.01) decrease in AChER among male agriculture workers compared with controls. At 10 - 50 times of pesticides applications there was a significantly (<em>P&lt;</em>0.05) decrease in AChER and increase in AST, ALT and ALP activity among exposed group. However, there was a negative correlation between AST, ALT, direct bilirubin, and AChES and age among control group and a positive correlation between ALT and AST and age among exposed group. According to the number of pesticide application, there was a positive correlation between AST, ALP, total and direct bilirubin and number of pesticide application. Agricultural villages in Egypt require more attention to decrease the percentage of literacy among the farmers and raise their health awareness.&nbsp;</p> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p>


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