Work-Related Noise Exposure in a Cohort of Patients with Chronic Tinnitus: Analysis of Demographic and Audiological Characteristics

Massimo Ralli, Maria Paola Balla, Antonio Greco, Giancarlo Altissimi, Pasquale Ricci, Rosaria Turchetta, Armando De Virgilio, Marco De Vincentiis, Serafino Ricci and Giancarlo Cianfrone
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Massimo Ralli: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00186 Rome, Italy
Maria Paola Balla: Department of Anatomy, Histology, Legal Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy
Antonio Greco: Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00186 Rome, Italy
Giancarlo Altissimi: Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00186 Rome, Italy
Pasquale Ricci: Department of Anatomy, Histology, Legal Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy
Rosaria Turchetta: Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00186 Rome, Italy
Armando De Virgilio: Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00186 Rome, Italy
Marco De Vincentiis: Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00186 Rome, Italy
Serafino Ricci: Department of Anatomy, Histology, Legal Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy
Giancarlo Cianfrone: Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00186 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: Work-related noise exposure is one of the major factors contributing to the development of adult-onset hearing loss and tinnitus. The aim of this study was to analyze, in patients with chronic tinnitus and long-term occupational noise exposure, (A) characteristics of hearing loss, tinnitus, comorbidities, demographic characteristics and a history of work-related noise exposure and (B) differences among individuals employed in occupations with high and low risk of developing work-related noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). One hundred thirty six patients with chronic tinnitus and at least a 10 year-long working history were divided into two groups based on the risk of their profession to induce NIHL. Individuals employed in jobs at high risk for NIHL were mostly males and exhibited a poorer hearing threshold, more evident in the left ear. Tinnitus was mostly bilateral; the next largest presentation was left-sided; patients described their tinnitus as buzzing or high-pitched. Correlation between age, length of tinnitus and worse hearing was found. Patients with a higher degree of hearing impairment were mostly males and were more likely to have a family history of hearing loss and at least one cardiovascular comorbidity. Our study shows some differences in individuals with tinnitus and a history of a profession associated with increased exposure to NIHL compared to those without such a history.

Keywords: noise-induced hearing loss; tinnitus; occupational noise exposure; pure tone audiometry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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