Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and strategies for its prevention in the New Zealand population: The Kiwi connection

Abstract

Celebrating Glenis Long's outstanding contribution to auditory physiology and psychoacoustics this presentation covers the New Zealand connection and particularly her involvement in our research into monitoring and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in NZ. A large multidisciplinary project is being undertaken to investigate the nature of NIHL in NZ and establish a national approach for its prevention. This includes estimates of NIHL prevalence and the design and evaluation of education and prevention programmes to reduce the impact of noise. Using a modelling approach we estimated that NIHL contributes to 17-25% of cases of hearing impairment and is therefore a significant modifiable risk factor. A key component of our project is monitoring of noise injury and we have studied Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE) as a measure of early injury. To assess the impact of interventions we recorded DPOAEs using swept pure tones and extracted DPOAE components in noise and non-noise exposed individuals. OAE findings were compared with measures of auditory function. We found that the generator component correlated more strongly with auditory threshold and thus may be a better physiological index of injury. This research has informed a national strategy involving government and community agencies to mitigate noise effects. © 2013 Acoustical Society of America.