Noise induced hearing loss

ABSTRACT

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is most often an occupational induced deafness which has no treatment to reverse the effects of noise. High noise levels have been recorded in many manufacturing establishments in Seychelles; and 33 per cent of pure tone audiograms done early NIHL in workers - similar to figures in both the developed and the developing world. NIHL is the most widespread industrial disease. The site of damage is the organ of Corti; initially causing a temporary threshold shift (TTS); but with further exposure to noise the hearing loss becomes permanent. Some degree of deafness often accompanied by tinnitus are the clinical result; characterized by a 4KHz dip in audiometry. There are also non-auditory non specific effects of noise. The only answer to NIHL is prevention by instituting occupational hearing conservation programmes at worksites. Doctors too should motivate workers to wear hearing protection