Occupational Noise: Auditory and Non-Auditory Consequences

Adam Sheppard, Massimo Ralli, Antonio Gilardi and Richard Salvi
Additional contact information
Adam Sheppard: Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences and Center for Hearing and Deafness, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14221, USA
Massimo Ralli: Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Antonio Gilardi: Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Richard Salvi: Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences and Center for Hearing and Deafness, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14221, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-15

Abstract: Occupational noise exposure accounts for approximately 16% of all disabling hearing losses, but the true value and societal costs may be grossly underestimated because current regulations only identify hearing impairments in the workplace if exposures result in audiometric threshold shifts within a limited frequency region. Research over the past several decades indicates that occupational noise exposures can cause other serious auditory deficits such as tinnitus, hyperacusis, extended high-frequency hearing loss, and poor speech perception in noise. Beyond the audiogram, there is growing awareness that hearing loss is a significant risk factor for other debilitating and potentially life-threatening disorders such as cardiovascular disease and dementia. This review discusses some of the shortcomings and limitations of current noise regulations in the United States and Europe.

Keywords: occupational noise exposure; ultra-high frequency; otoacoustic emissions; hidden hearing loss; tinnitus; hyperacusis; dementia; sound pressure level; continuous equivalent level (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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