The characteristics of tinnitus in workers exposed to noise.

UNLABELLED

Tinnitus is a common auditory complaint among individuals exposed to noise.

AIM

this paper aims to study the characteristics of tinnitus in workers exposed to noise.

STUDY DESIGN

this is a descriptive prospective study.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Fifty-two individuals averaging 29 years of age were enrolled in a hearing loss prevention program at a meat processing plant. The participants were interviewed and had their hearing tested in 2005 and 2006.

RESULTS

seventy-one percent of the participants were found to have normal hearing. Tinnitus was present in 16% of the males and in 9% of the females. Mean noise exposure length was 7 years and noise levels ranged from 86 to 91 dBA (48%). Bilateral tinnitus (46%) of the hissing type (40%) and moderate intensity (49%) was the most prevalent. Symptoms began to be observed within one to five years after initial exposure to noise (67%) and manifested themselves in weekly episodes (41%) that bothered the patients mostly at night (34%). A significant correlation was observed between the frequency of tinnitus episodes and the noise levels to which workers were exposed.

CONCLUSION

tinnitus should be included in hearing loss prevention programs in order to more comprehensively promote occupational hearing health.