Effect of hand-arm vibration on inner ear and cardiac functions in man.

To evaluate distant effects of hand-arm vibration we studied Finnish forestry workers using chain saw during the years 1972 through 1990. The hearing was tested annually and individual regression curves for sensorineural hearing loss (SHL) were calculated. Robinson's model was used in prediction of SHL. The heart rate variation (HRV) indexes at rest and during deep breathing test were analyzed to measure autonomic nervous function. In Robinson's model the measured SHL (17.8 dB) respected the predicted SHL (17.2 dB). The subjects with VWF had on average, 10 dB greater hearing loss than those who did not have VWF. The regression model based increase of hearing loss during follow up correlated with ageing, not to VWF. The intercept differed significantly in those with VWF from those without VWF. We found a significant difference between HRV indexes during deep breathing test in those with the shortest and those with the longest vibration exposure. The HRV decreased with age, but multiple regression analysis showed that the total exposure time to vibration had an independent negative association with HRV indexes. Our results suggest that prolonged exposure to vibration caused by chain saw has negative effects an autonomic functions. The aggravated hearing loss in subjects with VWF may be due to vibration induced changes in the autonomic nervous system or internal factors of the blood vessels.