scholarly journals Occupational Noise-Induced Tinnitus:Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP)

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.

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 ◽  
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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boshen Wang ◽  
Lei Han ◽  
Simin Dai ◽  
Xiuting Li ◽  
Wenyan Cai ◽  
...  

Objectives. This study investigated the hearing loss characteristics among occupational noise exposure workers with hypertension and the link between hypertension and hearing loss when exposed to occupational noise. Methods. A total of 267,766 occupational noise-exposed workers were enrolled, including 29,868 workers with hypertension and 240,165 without hypertension. Hypertension was diagnosed according to WHO criteria. Hypertension was classified into four grades based on blood pressure. Assessment of hearing was performed through measurement of an unadulterated tone threshold at different frequencies, which ranged between 250 and 8,000 Hz. Results. A substantial link was observed to exist between hypertension and the increment in the hearing limit. The increase in the hearing threshold was substantially higher among those having grade 2 hypertension. Conclusion. The current investigation suggested patients with hypertension exhibit a substantial rise in hearing loss in comparison with patients without hypertension. The rise in hearing loss was significant in patients with grade 2 hypertension. Efficient and practicable measures are required to decrease the hearing loss in workers with hypertension and work-related noise exposure.


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.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Miao ◽  
Juan Zhang ◽  
Lihong Yin ◽  
Yuepu Pu

Abstract Background: Noise is a widespread occupational hazardous factor affecting the health of workers in occupational health field. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and hypertension are the important biological adverse effects caused by occupational noise exposure. This study aimed to determine the binaural high frequency (3, 4, and 6 kHz) threshold on average (BHFTA) and levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), to assess the prevalence of NIHL and hypertension and determine the factors influencing the risk of both, and to evaluate the association between NIHL and hypertension among occupational noise-exposed workers. Methods: Questionnaire and occupational health checkup were performed to collect the personal information and physical examination data. Finally, baseline data from 42,588 occupational noise-exposed workers were analyzed. Noise intensity in the workplaces was measured using sound level meter. Pure tone audiometry (PTA) was measured at 3, 4 and 6 kHz using diagnostic audiometer. Moreover, blood pressure level was measured using automated sphygmomanometer. Results: The mean levels of BHFTA, SBP, and DBP were 23.09 ± 11.32 dB, 126.85 ± 15.94 mm Hg, 79.94 ± 11.61 mm Hg. Of the 42,588 subjects, the prevalence of NIHL and hypertension were 24.38% (n = 10,383) and 25.40% (n = 10,816). The results suggested that higher risk of NIHL and hypertension were more likely to be the subgroups of male gender, aged > 35 years, noise exposure time > 5 years, noise exposure level > 85 dB (A) and smoking. The BHFTA, SBP, and DBP levels increased with the age, noise exposure time and exposure level (Ptrend < 0.001). Besides, similar trends were also observed in the prevalence of NIHL and hypertension. Furthermore, there was a significant association of NIHL with hypertension. We found that 32.25% (n = 3,348) workers with NIHL had hypertension. The mean levels of SBP and DBP in NIHL workers were significantly higher than those with normal hearing (P < 0.001). Besides, workers with NIHL had a significantly higher risk of developing hypertension than normal hearing workers (adjusted OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 1.02-1.13). Conclusion: Our current findings suggest that the prevalence of NIHL and hypertension are high in the studied workers and occupational noise exposure is an important factor. Therefore, it is urgent to reduce noise exposure in the workplaces and to strengthen industrial noise monitoring.


2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ni Ketut Susilawati ◽  
Wayan Sudana ◽  
Eka Putra Setiawan

Background: Noise pollution or noise is an unwanted sound which is disturbing to human beings.However small or soft the sound, if it is undesirable it is considered as noise. Noise induced hearingloss is a sensorineural hearing loss that is commonly encountered second to presbycusis. Purpose: Toknow the effect of traffic noise exposure on hearing impairment to the employees of the Parking DistrictCompany of the Denpasar city and to improve diagnostic detection on hearing impairment caused bynoise. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted at the Parking District Company office. Thepopulations of this study were the employees of the Parking District Company. Samples of this study were the employees who were exposed to traffic noise and control samples were an employee who was unexposed. Samples were selected by simple random sampling. Results: From 40 parking attendants,27 persons (67.5%) aged above 35 years old. The parking attendants who had been working for ten to fifteen years were 36 persons (90%) and no history using ear protection when working. Seven persons(17.5%) had referred DPOAE upon examination with increase hearing threshold on audiogram result.In this study the parking attendants who had hearing deficit induced by noise were 7 persons (17.5%)and only one person (2.5%) in control group. There was a statistically significant effect of traffic noiseto hearing function deficit (p<0.05). Conclusion: Traffic noise has effect in hearing function deficit onthe parking attendants.ORLI Vol. 40 No. 2 Tahun 2010Key words: NIHL, parking attendant, audiometry, DPOAE.


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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 185 (9-10) ◽  
pp. e1551-e1555
Author(s):  
Sean E Slaven ◽  
Benjamin M Wheatley ◽  
Daniel L Christensen ◽  
Sameer K Saxena ◽  
Robert J McGill

Abstract Introduction Noise exposure is an occupational health concern for certain professions, especially military servicemembers and those using power tools on a regular basis. The purpose of this study was to quantify noise exposure during total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) cases compared to the recommended standard for occupational noise exposure. Materials and Methods A sound level meter was used to record cumulative and peak noise exposure levels in 10 primary THA and 10 primary TKA surgeries, as well as 10 arthroscopy cases as controls. Measurements at the distance of the surgeon were taken in all cases. In TKA cases, measurements were taken at 3 feet and 8 feet from the surgeon, to simulate the position of the anesthetist and circulating nurse, respectively. Results Time-weighted average was significantly higher in THA (64.7 ± 5.2 dB) and TKA (64.5 ± 6.8 dB) as compared to arthroscopic cases (51.1 ± 7.5 dB, P &lt; 0.001) and higher at the distance of the surgeon (64.5 ± 6.8 dB) compared to the anesthetist (52.9 ± 3.8 dB) and the circulating nurse (54.8 ± 11.2 dB, P = 0.006). However, time-weighted average was below the recommended exposure level of 85 dB for all arthroplasty cases. Peak levels did not differ significantly between surgery type or staff role, and no values above the ceiling limit of 140 dB were recorded. Surgeon’s daily noise dose percentage per case was 1.78% for THA and 2.04% for TKA. Conclusion Noise exposure in THA and TKA was higher than arthroscopic cases but did not exceed occupational standards. A daily dose percentage of approximately 2% per case indicates that repeated noise exposure likely does not reach hazardous levels in modern arthroplasty practice.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiyu Zhao ◽  
Dongkui He ◽  
Hanwei Zhang ◽  
Tingting Hou ◽  
Chengxin Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: To investigate the current status of occupational noise hazards in some Xinjiang enterprises, and to provide a basis for the development of targeted noise prevention measures. Methods: We used descriptive analysis to investigate a total of 11,800 subjects who underwent occupational health examination in Xinjiang Occupational Disease Prevention Hospital. Results: The hearing abnormality rate of noise exposure practitioners was 8.03%, which was higher in males than that in females (χ²=54.507, p <0.05). The abnormal rate of high-frequency hearing threshold in Xinjiang minorities was lower than that of Han nationality (χ²=11.780, p <0.05), the results of the electrocardiogram were reversed (χ²=9.128, p <0.05). Differences in abnormal rates of blood pressure (χ²=149.734, p <0.05), hearing (χ²=231.203, p <0.05), and physical examination (χ²=360.609, P <0.05) are statistically significant in different industries. The abnormal rate of blood pressure (χ²=67.416, p <0.05) and hearing (χ²=49.535, p <0.05) gradually decreases with the expansion of the enterprise scale. Conclusion: Male, elderly, mining, small and medium enterprise practitioners should be the key population for noise occupational hazard prevention. It is necessary to standardize occupational health management in enterprises, improve workers' self-protection awareness and the quality of life of employees.


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>


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document