ABSTRACT
Since noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of prevalent issues in the occupational settings, hearing protection device (HPD) has been widely used to reduce noise exposure levels and to prevent developing NIHL. This review study aimed to introduce several types of the HPD in terms of current trends, its variety and functions, and application. Including a brief history of the HPD, we explain its two types, i.e., passive and active functions, in the first part of main body. The passive HPD has a flat attenuation across the overall frequency range, whereas the active HPD effectively preserves communication components such as meaningful speech with low intensity stimuli while filtering out the high levels of noise. In the second part of the main body, we discuss some negative issues of hearing functions when users are wearing the HPD. In detail, the active HPD does not much degrade the hearing performance for speech detection/recognition and sound source localization compared to the passive HPD. Rather, reduced sound (or music) quality is improved with active one in general. In the final part, we mention that although various applications in the special fields such as factory, mining, army, airplane, and music have been demonstrated, the usage and awareness of HPD in occupational aspect may not follow its fast technological development. Furthermore, most people do not know about either importance or use method of HPD in the non-occupational setting. For these reasons, we conclude that hearing professionals have to access the latest trends of the HPD and to increase their knowledge on it, and thus they should provide the best HPD prescription for the public as well as employees who have to protect their ears from hazard noise impacts.
Subject(s)
Aircraft , Ear , Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced , Hearing , Methods , Mining , Music , Noise , Prescriptions , Public HealthABSTRACT
RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a eficácia da atenuação de um protetor auditivo em uma situação real de trabalho utilizando o método f-Microphone-in-real-ear (f-MIRE). Métodos Participaram 18 indivíduos, de ambos os gêneros (média de idade 47,17±8 anos). No local de trabalho, foi realizada a avaliação do nível pessoal de atenuação do Protetor Auditivo (PA) pelo método Field Microphone-in-Real-Ear (f-MIRE), seguido por orientações sobre a importância do uso do PA, higienização, armazenamento e treinamento para sua colocação efetiva. Resultados As análises mostraram que houve atenuação estatisticamente significante para todos os dados coletados (ruído total, por banda de frequência e dose) quando comparados os níveis de ruído no microfone lapela e no microfone sonda. Na comparação entre os valores de atenuação fornecidos pelo fabricante e os encontrados neste estudo, observou-se valores maiores para o fabricante em todas as bandas de frequência. Não houve diferença para os níveis de ruído nas diferentes atividades e horários avaliados. Conclusão Os achados do presente estudo possibilitaram conhecer o nível pessoal de atenuação do protetor auditivo durante uma situação real de trabalho, que estava dentro dos limites de tolerância. Também foi possível coletar informações sobre o ruído do ambiente em que esses trabalhadores estão expostos, onde observamos situações nas quais esse nível ultrapassava os valores de segurança, sendo assim recomendável o uso do PA. É importante que mais estudos sejam realizados utilizando o método f-MIRE, pois pode ser um aliado para avaliar a eficácia da atenuação do PA no local de trabalho.
ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of the attenuation of a hearing protector (HP) in a real work situation using the field-microphone-in-real-ear method (f-MIRE). Methods Eighteen individuals of both genders (mean age of 47.17±8 years) participated in this study. In the workplace, the personal attenuation level of the HP was assessed using the f-MIRE method, followed by orientation about the importance of using the HP, cleaning and storing the device, and training for effective placement. Results The analyses showed a significant statistic attenuation for all of the collected data (total noise, by frequency band and dose) when the noise levels in the lapel microphone and the probe microphone were compared. In the comparison of the attenuation values provided by the manufacturer and those found in this study, we observed higher values for the manufacturer in all frequency bands. No difference was observed for the noise levels in the different activities and times evaluated. Conclusion The findings of this study enabled us to know the personal level of attenuation of the HP during a real work situation, which was within the limits of tolerance. It was also possible to collect information about the environmental noise to which these workers are exposed. We noticed situations where this level exceeded the safety values, and therefore it is recommended the use of the HP. It is important that more studies are conducted using the f-MIRE method, because it may be an ally to assess the effectiveness of the HP attenuation in the workplace.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Occupational Exposure/prevention & control , Ear Protective Devices , Noise, Occupational/prevention & control , Reference Values , Environmental Monitoring/instrumentation , Workplace , Equipment Design , Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced/prevention & control , Middle AgedABSTRACT
En el medio militar el personal se ve sometido a los más altos niveles de ruido; se considera que las detonaciones de las armas de fuego superan en intensidad a todos los ruidos industriales. Este trabajo pretende abordar los factores de riesgo y vulnerabilidad asociados a la exposición al ruido en el ambiente militar, los aspectos más actuales relacionados con la lesión auditiva inducida por ruido y su protección. Se realizó una revisión de los artículos más representativos mediante la base de datos Medline e Hinari, se empleó para la búsqueda y creación de la bibliografía el gestor personal de referencias bibliográficas Procite, referencias al tema en revistas, tesis y referencias en Internet mediante el buscador Google. Los resultados reafirman la vulnerabilidad del personal militar a padecer algún tipo de lesión del aparato auditivo inducida por ruido, originado por los niveles de ruido elevado que se producen en el medio militar, la necesidad de enfocar de forma multidisciplinaria este tipo de lesiones y la importancia de implementar sistemas de protección auditiva eficientes, con el fin de elevar la calidad de vida de los expuestos a ruido y evitar que se produzca la discapacidad auditiva, considerando que la mejor opción es su prevención.
Extremely high noise levels are characteristic of the military environment. Firearm detonations are considered to exceed the intensity of any industrial noise. The paper approaches the risk factors and vulnerabilities associated with exposure to noise in the military environment, as well as the most recent notions about noise-induced hearing injury and hearing protection. A review was conducted of the most representative papers on the topic using databases Medline and Hinari. Bibliography lists were searched for and created using Procite personal bibliographic reference manager. Google search engine was used to find references to the topic in journals, theses and Internet references. Results confirm the vulnerability of military personnel to suffer from noise-induced hearing injuries resulting from the high noise levels occurring in the military environment, the need to approach such injuries in a multidisciplinary manner, and the importance of implementing efficient hearing protection systems, with a view to improving the quality of life of persons exposed to noise and preventing hearing impairment, based on the certainty that prevention is always the best option.
ABSTRACT
Objetivo: Determinar las actitudes y creencias de los trabajadores respecto de la protección auditiva y la pérdida de la audición por ruido como parte de una actividad del Programa de Protección Auditiva de un Centro de Trabajo. Método: Se realizó un estudio transversal observacional en un Centro Procesador de aceite crudo y gas natural, costa afuera del estado de Campeche, México. Resultados: La percepción de la susceptibilidad de la pérdida auditiva inducida por el ruido en el grupo de trabajadores fue del 100%. Respecto de percibir la severidad de las consecuencias de la pérdida auditiva inducida por ruido 15% estuvo de acuerdo y 85% totalmente de acuerdo. Del beneficio del uso de los dispositivos como medida preventiva a la pérdida de audición, 90% estuvo totalmente de acuerdo que es importante usar protectores auditivos cada vez que se está trabajando con ruido fuerte, el 10% consideró estar de acuerdo. Conclusión: El estudio de las creencias e intenciones de los trabajadores evidenció un elemento cognoscitivo establecido respecto del ruido como condicionante de la susceptibilidad para pérdida auditiva con el consecuente uso de los dispositivos de protección auditiva como medida preventiva. Sin embargo, se requiere mayor entrenamiento en el plano de la autosuficiencia ya que la mitad de los trabajadores no sabe cuándo los tapones necesitan ser reemplazados. Por otra parte, existen situaciones de tipo administrativo que requieren atención como son la nula posibilidad para los trabajadores de seleccionar dispositivos de protección de los oídos una vez que solo tienen disponibles tapones auditivos.
Objective: Determining the attitudes and beliefs of workers on hearing protection and hearing loss due to noise as part of an activity Hearing Protection Programme of Work Center. Method: An observational cross-sectional study on a crude oil and natural gas Processing Center off shore the state of Campeche, Mexico. Results: The perception of susceptibility hearing loss induced by noise in the group of workers was 100%. Regarding perceive the severity of the consequences of hearing loss induced by noise, 15% agreed and 85% strongly agree. About the benefit of using the devices as a preventive measure against hearing loss, 90% strongly agreed that it is important to wear hearing protection whenever you are working with loud noise, 10% considered agree. Conclusion: The study of the beliefs and intentions of the workers showed a cognitive element established in respect of noise as a condition of susceptibility of hearing loss and the consequent use of hearing protection devices as a precaution. However, more training is required at the level of self-sufficiency half since workers do not know when the plugs need to be replaced. On the other hand, there are situations of administrative nature that require attention such as the non-existent possibility for workers to select hearing protection devices once only earplugs are available.