Solvent-Induced Hearing Loss from Occupational Exposure In Asia – A systematic review

Exposure to certain solvents in the workplace can cause hearing loss. This study aims to bring attention to the existing literature on the adverse effects of solvents on workers' auditory function in a diverse Asia occupational setting. The literature search used in this study is PubMed and Web of Science. 87% of the selected studies reported that the highest prevalence of hearing loss was from solvents plus noise-exposed group. Evidence shows that interaction between the solvent and the noise could be both additive and synergistic. More epidemiology studies on solvent-induced hearing loss using diverse approaches are warranted in Asia region. Keywords: hearing loss, organic solvent, pure tone audiometry, chemical-induced hearing loss eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI:

Literature Review: Risk Factors Affecting Hearing Loss among Fishermen in Indonesia

Indonesia is a country where most of the people work as fishermen because most of its territory is water. Fishermen are a profession that has a high risk of occupational disease in the form of hearing loss which causes losses in the form of permanent disabilities, decreased financial income and quality of life, as well as the mental health of fishermen. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors that cause occupational hearing loss experienced by fishermen. This research is a literature review conducted using the Google Scholar database with the keywords "Hearing Loss", "Occupational Diseases", "Fishermen", and "Indonesia". The results of this literature review show that diving and non-diver fishermen have a risk of hearing loss due to personal factors such as age, years of service, knowledge, attitudes, and behavior, while occupational factors that influence are noise intensity, length of exposure to availability of ear protection equipment, length of time, and depth of diving activity. Keywords: hearing loss, occupational diseases, fishermen

Relationship between Smoking and Hearing Impairment of Automotive Industry Workers Exposed to Noise

Introduction: Working in noisy environments may cause hearing loss. Studies have shown that some factors along with noise are independently involved in hearing loss, one of which is cigarette smoking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of smoking on hearing loss in workers exposed to occupational noise. Materials and Methods: The workers’ hearing loss was measured through a tonal hearing test (air-conduction). Their demographic information was also recorded and evaluated using some checklists. Results: A total of 250 people were enrolled in this study, of whom 133 were smokers and 117 were non-smokers. The mean age of the participants was 36.07 ± 3.66 years, and there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age. The mean sound pressure level in the work environment was 86 dB based on the ISO standard. There was a significant difference between the hearing loss levels in the right ears and the left ears of the two groups of smokers and non-smokers (P value <0.001). Conclusion: In general, smoking plays a significant role in hearing loss along with other factors, such as noise in the workplace, and conducting periodic audiometry tests to identify smokers with hearing impairment can be effective in primary or secondary prevention of occupational hearing impairment. Keywords: Hearing Loss, Smoking, Noise, Occupational

Comparing Newborn Hearing Test Batteries: TEOAE and A-ABR – Pilot Study

The aim of the newborn hearing screening programme is early detection of hearing loss. Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and automised auditory brainstem response (A-ABR) are effective, objective and valuable test batteries for newborn hearing screening, and they should be used together. The purpose of this study is to determine which test battery is more accurate and can be used as the gold standard. A total of 933 newborn children were included in this study, of which 602 were girls and 331 boys. 622 of them were screened with TEOAE, while 311 with A-ABR. 31 of the newborn screened with A-ABR and 27 of those screened with TEOAE were referred in the hearing screening programme. The results showed that out of 933, 17 subjects had hearing loss. The hearing loss rate was 1.8%; 12 of the newborn screened with AABR and 5 of those screened with TEOAE had hearing loss. Keywords: Hearing loss, TEOAE, ABR, newborn hearing screening.

Impact Analysis of Noise Intensity with Hearing Loss on Laundry Worker

Laundry unit at a hospital can be a source of noise. The impact was very dangerous for workers, especially against hearing. From the results of a preliminary survey of the noise intensity measurements obtained intensity noise of 81.2 dB (A). The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of noise on hearing loss intensity laundry attendant. This study was an observational with cross sectional design. The instrument used was a questionnaire to see the characteristics of the respondent, sound level meter to measure the intensity of noise and audiometry test to measure the threshold of hearing respondents. The research subject as many as 16 workers of laundry. Based on the results of the study states that 75% of the existing work in the laundry unit has a noise intensity exceeds the required value and 12 officers were on the section. The measurement results with minimum of 65.4 dB (A), to a maximum of 84.0 dB( A) andthe average intensity of noise by 79.04 dB (A). Obtained eight workers (50%) had hearing loss right ear and 6 offi cers (37.5%) had hearing loss left ear. There was a relationship between impaired right ear with noise intensity (Spearman; r = 0.577). The need hearing health for periodic examination least once a year, reducing device noise to keep the noise source, and personal protective equipment (PPE).Keywords: hearing loss, intensity noise, laundry

PROFIL GANGGUAN PENDENGARAN PADA PEMUSIK DI KOTA MANADO

Hearing loss due to noise (Noise Induced Hearing Loss - NIHL) is hearing impairment, either part or all, loss, irreversible, occur in one or both ears, can be mild, moderate or severe, occurs because of exposure to the constant noise from the environment. The musician is one of the communities that are susceptible to noise induced hearing loss. Musicians had considerable exposure to noise. Most musicians have a hearing loss in varying degrees. The research objective is to determine the profile of hearing loss in the musicians in Manado, researching threshold musical sound that can cause hearing loss, and looking for a relationship with duration of music exposure to hearing loss. Research is explanatory research, analytical research methods and cross-sectional approach. Research conducted on hearing music group in the City of Manado. The study involved 30 people with the details of 15 respondents guitar players and 15 drummers. The result is: The degree of noise in the gym most of the 110-130 dB, experienced by 46.7% of respondents, mostly studied band of men which is about 90%. Hearing loss is the most followed by drummer and then gitarist, 46.7% and 36.6%, respectively; based upon long exposure to music,> 5 years 46.6%, based on length of exercise per day, more in the 3-4 hours it is 40%. Based on the result of the study, there is a relationship between noise exposure and hearing loss in musicians in the city of Manado. The noise level, exposure time per day, duration of exposure and vulnerability of respondents, closely related to hearing loss disorder the musicians in this study. Keywords: Hearing loss, the noise level, duration of exposure, musicians.Abstrak: Noise induce hearing loss (NIHL) atau gangguan pendengaran akibat kebisingan adalah gangguan pendengaran baik sebagian atau seluruh pendengaran, bersifat menetap, terjadi pada satu atau dua telinga, dapat bersifat ringan, sedang atau berat, terjadi karena paparan bising yang terus-menerus dari lingkungan. Pemusik adalah salah satu komunitas yang rentan terhadap gangguan pendengaran akibat bising. Pemusik mengalami paparan suara yang begitu besar. Kebanyakan pemusik mengalami gangguan pendengaran dalam berbagai derajat. Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui profil gangguan pendengaran pemusik di kota manado, meneliti ambang batas suara musik yang dapat menyebabkan gangguan pendengaran serta mencari hubungan lama paparan musik dengan gangguan pendengaran. Penelitian bersifat Explanatory Research, dengan metode penelitian analitik dan pendekatan cross sectional. Penelitian gangguan pendengaran dilakukan pada kelompok musik di Kota Manado. Penelitian ini melibatkan 30 orang responden dengan rincian 15 pemain gitar dan 15 pemain drum. Hasil yang diperoleh adalah: Derajat kebisingan pada tempat latihan paling banyak antara 110-130 dB, dialami oleh 46,7 % responden, personil band yang diteliti kebanyakan laki-laki yaitu sekitar 90 %. Gangguan pendengaran terbanyak adalah pemain drum diikuti oleh gitaris 46,7 % and 36,6 %. Berdasarkan lama paparan musik, > 5 tahun 46,6 %; berdasarkan lama latihan per hari, lebih banyak pada 3-4 jam yaitu 40 %. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian kesimpulannya, terdapat hubungan antara paparan kebisingan dan gangguan pendengaran pada pemusik di Kota Manado. Tingkat kebisingan, waktu paparan perhari, lama terpapar serta kerentanan responden, berhubungan erat dengan pendengaran pada pemusik pada penelitian ini. Kata kunci: Gangguan pendengaran, tingkat kebisingan, lama paparan, pemusik.

A Utilização do Questionário HHIE-S Associado à Avaliação Audiológica e Vocal num Grupo de Idosos

Resumo: Este estudo objetiva identificar a importância do questionário Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly — Screening Version (HHIE-S) como indicador da necessidade de avaliação audiológica em um grupo de idosos, relacionando as perdas auditivas às possíveis alterações vocais. Fizeram parte deste estudo cinco indivíduos idosos do gênero feminino, na faixa etária de 57 a 75 anos. Primeiramente, foi aplicado o questionário HHIE-S seguido da avaliação audiológica básica e da avaliação perceptivo-auditiva da voz. Nos resultados, os cinco indivíduos idosos apresentaram alteração em um ou mais aspectos vocais. As alterações das características vocais puderam ser correlacionadas às perdas auditivas em três dos cinco casos. Salienta-se a importância da avaliação vocal e da utilização de escalas de auto-avaliação, como o questionário HHIE-S, como indicadores da identificação precoce da deficiência auditiva. Palavras-chave: Perda Auditiva. Presbiacusia. Saúde do Idoso. Qualidade Vocal. Abstract: This study aimed at identifying the importance of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly —Screening Version (HHIE-S) questionnaire as an indicator of the need for an audiological evaluation in a group of elderly, and verifying the relation between hearing loss and possible vocal change in 5 elderly females with ages ranging from 57 to 75 years.The HHIE-S questionnaire was applied, followed by a basic audiological evaluation and auditory-perceptive vocal evaluation. In the results, 5 elderly individuals presented changes in one or more vocal aspects. The changes in vocal characteristics may be correlated to hearing loss in 3 of the 5 cases. The importance of vocal evaluation and use of self-evaluation scales as the HHIE-S questionnaire as indicators for early identification of hearing impairment is highlighted. Keywords: Hearing Loss. Presbycusis. Aging. Health. Voice Quality.