scholarly journals Evaluating the Effectiveness of Earplugs in Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in an Auto Parts Factory in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 7190
Author(s):  
Wei Gong ◽  
Liangliang Zhao ◽  
Ling Li ◽  
Thais C. Morata ◽  
Wei Qiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Detectable Effect ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
Mandatory Requirement ◽  
Exposed Workers ◽  
Fit Testing ◽  
Auto Parts

A survey was administered to 385 noise-exposed workers from an auto parts factory and 1268 non-noise-exposed health department employees in China. Individual 8 h A-weighted equivalent sound levels (LAeq,8h), earplug personal attenuation ratings (PARs), and pure-tone audiometric tests were performed. The average LAeq,8h of noise-exposed workers was 87 dB (A) with a mean PAR of 7 dB. The prevalence of high-frequency hearing loss was 65% for noise-exposed workers and 33% for the non-noise-exposed employees. The use of earplugs had no observable effect on the prevalence of high-frequency hearing loss of the study participants (OR 0.964, 95% CI 0.925–1.005, p = 0.085). No significant relationship between the effectiveness offered by earplug use and high-frequency hearing thresholds at 3, 4, and 6 kHz was found (t = −1.54, p = 0.125). The mandatory requirement of earplug use without individualized training on how to wear HPDs correctly had no detectable effect on the prevention of hearing loss at the auto parts factory. The hearing conservation program at the surveyed factory was not effective. Periodic hearing tests, earplug fit testing, expanding the offer of different types of hearing protection, and employee education about the importance of protecting their hearing were recommended to the occupational health and safety program.

scholarly journals A risk model and nomogram for high-frequency hearing loss in noise-exposed workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruican Sun ◽  
Weiwei Shang ◽  
Yingqiong Cao ◽  
Yajia Lan
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Risk Model ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Exposed Workers

Abstract Background High-frequency hearing loss is a significant occupational health concern in many countries, and early identification can be effective for preventing hearing loss. The study aims to construct and validate a risk model for HFHL, and develop a nomogram for predicting the individual risk in noise-exposed workers. Methods The current research used archival data from the National Key Occupational Diseases Survey-Sichuan conducted in China from 2014 to 2017. A total of 32,121 noise-exposed workers completed the survey, of whom 80% workers (n = 25,732) comprised the training cohort for risk model development and 20% workers (n = 6389) constituted the validation cohort for model validation. The risk model and nomogram were constructed using binary logistic models. The effectiveness and calibration of the model were evaluated with the receiver operating characteristic curve and calibration plots, respectively. Results A total of 10.06% of noise-exposed workers had HFHL. Age (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.083–1.104), male sex (OR = 3.25, 95% CI: 2.85–3.702), noise exposure duration (NED) (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.093–1.201), and a history of working in manufacturing (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.314–1.713), construction (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.531–3.421), mining (OR = 2.63, 95% CI: 2.238–3.081), or for a private-owned enterprise (POE) (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.202–1.476) were associated with an increased risk of HFHL (P < 0.05). Conclusions The risk model and nomogram for HFHL can be used in application-oriented research on the prevention and management of HFHL in workplaces with high levels of noise exposure.

scholarly journals The prediction and risk point score (RPS) of high frequency hearing loss in noise exposed workers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruican Sun ◽  
Weiwei Shang ◽  
Yingqiong Cao ◽  
Yajia Lan
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
Risk Prediction Models ◽  
Point Score ◽  
Exposed Workers

Abstract Background: Occupational hearing loss is a significant occupational health concern in many countries, and high frequency hearing loss (HFHL) is an early symptom. Based on realistic demands, we aimed to build a prediction risk model of HFHL and developed the related risk point score (RPS). The results of this study are expected to provide technological support for interventions and management to enhance application-oriented research of HFHL.Methods: A total of 32121 participants who were noise exposed workers were enrolled. The datasets from the National key occupational diseases survey (NKODS) performed from 2014 to 2017 in Sichuan Province in China were utilized. The sociodemographic and occupational characteristics were assessed by standardized questionnaires, and the level of HFHL were collected by audiometric testing and was defined as a binaural high frequency threshold average (BHFTA) over 40 dB in the right and left ears. The risk prediction models were generated by linear logistic regression, and based on the models, the risk point score (RPS) of HFHL were calculated. Results: Of the 32121 participants in the study, 9.97% (n=4029) of workers had HFHL (BHFTA ≥ 40 dB). Age (OR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.071–1.083), sex (OR=3.34, 95% CI: 2.880–3.636), noise exposure time (OR=1.01, 95% CI: 1.008–1.018), manufacturing industry (OR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.302–1.647), construction industry (OR=2.14, 95% CI: 1.488–3.069), mining industry (OR=2.57, 95% CI: 2.225–2.957), foreign enterprise (OR=0.94, 95% CI: 0.781–1.122), and private enterprise (OR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.200–1.442) were predictors of HFHL (P<0.05). By comparing the two risk prediction models, the 40 dB HL criterion model was found to be more effective than the 25 dB HL criterion model (AUC=0.637). Verification of the two models revealed that the 25 dB HL criterion model was more stable than the 40 dB HL criterion.Conclusion: The study found that the prevalence of HFHL was moderate in Sichuan Province. Sex, age, noise exposure years, and employment in the manufacturing industry, construction industry, mining industry, foreign enterprise, or private enterprise were predictors of HFHL, and the development of the RPS of HFHL is necessary for application-oriented research on HFHL.

Modified Earpieces and CROS for High Frequency Hearing Losses

1968 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 204-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Dodds ◽  
Earl Harford
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Intensity Level ◽  
Test Results ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Difficult Cases

Persons with a high frequency hearing loss are difficult cases for whom to find suitable amplification. We have experienced some success with this problem in our Hearing Clinics using a specially designed earmold with a hearing aid. Thirty-five cases with high frequency hearing losses were selected from our clinical files for analysis of test results using standard, vented, and open earpieces. A statistical analysis of test results revealed that PB scores in sound field, using an average conversational intensity level (70 dB SPL), were enhanced when utilizing any one of the three earmolds. This result was due undoubtedly to increased sensitivity provided by the hearing aid. Only the open earmold used with a CROS hearing aid resulted in a significant improvement in discrimination when compared with the group’s unaided PB score under earphones or when comparing inter-earmold scores. These findings suggest that the inclusion of the open earmold with a CROS aid in the audiologist’s armamentarium should increase his flexibility in selecting hearing aids for persons with a high frequency hearing loss.

Caudal Pontine Reticular Formation of C57BL/6J Mice: Responses to Startle Stimuli, Inhibition by Tones, and Plasticity

1998 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 2603-2614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Carlson ◽  
James F. Willott
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Reticular Formation ◽  
Auditory System ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Acoustic Startle ◽  
Acoustic Startle Response ◽  
Pontine Reticular Formation ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
Old Mice

Carlson, Stephanie and James F. Willott. Caudal pontine reticular formation of C57BL/6J mice: responses to startle stimuli, inhibition by tones, and plasticity. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 2603–2614, 1998. C57BL/6J (C57) mice were used to examine relationships between the behavioral acoustic startle response (ASR) and the responses of neurons in the caudal pontine reticular formation (PnC) in three contexts: 1) responses evoked by basic startle stimuli; 2) the prepulse inhibition (PPI) paradigm; and 3) the effects of high-frequency hearing loss and concomitant neural plasticity that occurs in middle-aged C57 mice. 1) Responses (evoked action potentials) of PnC neurons closely paralleled the ASR with respect to latency, threshold, and responses to rapidly presented stimuli. 2) “Neural PPI” (inhibition of responses evoked by a startle stimulus when preceded by a tone prepulse) was observed in all PnC neurons studied. 3) In PnC neurons of 6-mo-old mice with high-frequency (>20 kHz) hearing loss, neural PPI was enhanced with 12- and 4-kHz prepulses, as it is behaviorally. These are frequencies that have become “overrepresented” in the central auditory system of 6-mo-old C57 mice. Thus neural plasticity in the auditory system, induced by high-frequency hearing loss, is correlated with increased salience of the inhibiting tones in both behavioral and neural PPI paradigms.

scholarly journals High Frequency Hearing Loss and Hyperactivity in DUX4 Transgenic Mice

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e0151467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhijit Dandapat ◽  
Benjamin J. Perrin ◽  
Christine Cabelka ◽  
Maria Razzoli ◽  
James M. Ervasti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss

scholarly journals Real-World Performance of a Reverse-Horn Vent

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (09) ◽  
pp. 653-661
Author(s):  
Francis Kuk ◽  
Denise Keenan ◽  
Chi-Chuen Lau ◽  
Nick Dinulescu ◽  
Richard Cortez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Subjective Ratings ◽  
High Frequency Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Objective Performance ◽  
Occlusion Effect

The present study compared differences in subjective and objective performance in completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids with conventional uniform 1.5 mm parallel vents and another with a reverse horn vent where the diameter increased from 1.5 mm on the lateral faceplate to 3 mm on the medial opening of the hearing aid. Nine hearing-impaired persons with a high-frequency hearing loss participated. The test battery included unaided in situ thresholds, amount of available gain before feedback, speech in quiet, speech in noise (HINT), subjective ratings of hollowness and tolerance, objective measures of the occlusion effect, and real-ear aided response. Results showed less available gain before feedback but less occlusion effect for subjective ratings and objective measures with the reverse horn vent. This type of vent design may be useful to increase the effective vent diameter of custom (including CIC) hearing aids.

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