Tinnitus and Self-Perceived Hearing Handicap in Firefighters: A Cross-Sectional Study

Samson Jamesdaniel, Kareem G. Elhage, Rita Rosati, Samiran Ghosh, Bengt Arnetz and James Blessman
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Samson Jamesdaniel: Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Kareem G. Elhage: Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Rita Rosati: Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Samiran Ghosh: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
Bengt Arnetz: Department of Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
James Blessman: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-9

Abstract: Firefighters are susceptible to auditory dysfunction due to long-term exposure to noise from sirens, air horns, equipment, and tools used in forcible entry, ventilation, and extrication. In addition, they are exposed to ototoxic chemicals, particularly, during overhaul operations. Studies indicate that 40% of firefighters have hearing loss in the noise-sensitive frequencies of 4 and 6 kHz. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is often accompanied by tinnitus, which is characterized by ringing noise in the ears. The presence of phantom sounds can adversely affect the performance of firefighters. However, there has been limited research conducted on the prevalence of tinnitus in firefighters. We enrolled firefighters from Michigan, with at least 5 years of continuous service. The hearing handicap inventory for adults (HHIA) was used to determine the difficulty in hearing perceived by the firefighters and the tinnitus functional index (TFI) was used to determine the severity of tinnitus. Self-perceived hearing handicap was reported by 36% of the participants, while tinnitus was reported by 48% of the participants. The TFI survey indicated that 31% perceived tinnitus as a problem. More importantly, self-perceived hearing handicap was significantly associated with the incidence of tinnitus in firefighters, suggesting a potential link between occupational exposure to ototraumatic agents and tinnitus in firefighters.

Keywords: tinnitus; hearing loss; ototoxicity; firefighters; environmental exposures; noise; lead (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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