Hearing damage caused by noise

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Noise is most common profession risk, as well as risk from environment, for hearing loss. Top limit for industrial noise is 85 dB. OBJECTIVES: Aim of our study was to determined all number of recognized professional diseases in our country, as well as to see which of industries are with highest prevalence of professional hearing damage caused by noise. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We use an cohort study for analyzing patient histories which were hospitalised in the Institute of occupational health. All of them have recognized professional disease hearing loss. In order to be recognized as cases of a professional hearing damage, all of them had to satisfy all legal requirements. RESULTS: Average age of patients with professional damage of cochlear nerve was 50 y. They have high total time period as well as exposed time period. In 2003 and 2004 there was highest number of detected and recognized cases of such professional diseases. More than half of examined patients had lesion between 30 and 40 percent following tables of F. S. Most of them were metal and mining industry workers. CONCLUSION: Following results of the study we can conclude that regular medical examinations of workers in all industries are necessary, specially in metal and mining industry. It is also needed to use personal protection items and to provide appropriate medical education of both workers and the management staff of said industries in order to prevent this kind of profession disease.