[Occupational hearing loss (author's transl)].

Occupational hearing loss is most likely due to chronic noise exposure. In few cases the "Acoustic accident" is to be considered. Criteria are noise exposure levels in excess of 90 dB, uncomfortable position of head and neck, and hearing loss immediately following the accident. Pure tone audiometry shows a flat hearing loss with prevalence at 1000 to 2000 c/s. Disturbances of the blood flow in the cochlea during noise exposure is discussed as the pathogenic factor.