Occupational noise exposure and hearing loss characteristics of a blue-collar population

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00043764-198412000-00006· OSTI ID:6096420

Helmkamp, J C; Talbott, E O; Margolis, H

Recent studies of health effects from chronic exposure to noise in the workplace have not consistently addressed nonoccupational variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 197 randomly selected male hourly workers from a noisy plant ( greater than or equal to 89 dBA) in Pittsburgh to fully assess noise exposure and hearing loss, incorporating information on duration of exposure, noise level, occupational and medical histories, audiometric evaluation, and external noise sources. Population audiometric profiles are characteristic of noise-induced hearing loss; mean hearing thresholds for press room men were significantly higher at 2, 3, and 6 kHz (p less than or equal to .05). Only 40% of the men consistently wore hearing protection. Recent use of ototoxic drugs, noisy hobbies/second jobs, military service, family history of hearing loss, and ear-related problems were not found to have a significant effect on hearing levels at high frequencies, suggesting that observed hearing losses were of an occupational origin. 31 references, 3 figures, 3 tables.

• Research Organization: Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA
• OSTI ID: 6096420
• Journal Information: JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States) Vol. 26:12; ISSN JJOMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560400* -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AUDITORY ORGANS
BODY
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
DATA
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FEDERAL REGION III
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INFORMATION
INJURIES
NOISE
NOISE POLLUTION
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANS
PENNSYLVANIA
PERSONNEL
PITTSBURGH
POLLUTION
SENSE ORGANS
USA