Prevalence of noise-induced health hazards and occupational safety practices among welders in Mysuru city: a cross-sectional study

Background: Occupational exposure to noise is a significant concern in the welding industry, posing potential health hazards to workers. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of noise-induced health hazards, knowledge regarding these hazards, and the practice of preventive measures among welders in Mysuru City. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and data was collected from welders in Mysuru City, including noise exposure levels, perceived stress levels, insomnia prevalence, and demographic characteristics. The association between the number of years of noise exposure and auditory/non-auditory health effects was analysed. Participants' awareness of noise-induced health hazards and the use of protective equipment were also evaluated. Results: The study included male participants, predominantly below 30 years of age, with a majority (74.3%) belonging to the Muslim community. Decreased hearing (11.5%) and sleep disorders (3%) were reported by participants. About half (53.7%) were aware of noise-induced health hazards, with a high usage of safety glasses but limited use of earplugs. Most had exposure to noise for less than 5 years. Moderate levels of perceived stress and low prevalence of insomnia were observed. Significant associations were found between the number of years of noise exposure and both auditory/non-auditory health hazards, as well as between age category and auditory health effects. Conclusions: The study reveals the prevalence of noise-induced health hazards among welders in Mysuru City and highlights the importance of promoting occupational health and safety measures. Raising awareness and encouraging the use of protective measures are crucial to mitigate the adverse effects of noise exposure in the welding industry.

Enfrentamento da subnotificação da perda auditiva induzida por ruído relacionada ao trabalho: a experiência de uma oficina educativa em planejamento e programação local em saúde do trabalhador / Addressing underreported occupational noise-induced hearing loss: the experience of an educational workshop on local occupational health planning and program

Resumo Introdução: a subnotificação da Perda Auditiva Induzida por Ruído (Pair) relacionada ao trabalho é um problema que contribui para a invisibilidade e falta de prioridade deste agravo nos programas de Saúde do Trabalhador (ST). Logo, ações de educação permanente voltadas ao planejamento estratégico-situacional podem contribuir para o enfrentamento desta realidade. Objetivo: apresentar e discutir a experiência de uma intervenção educativa com técnicos da ST de uma macrorregião de saúde do estado da Bahia, Brasil, sobre o uso do Planejamento e Programação Local em Saúde (PPLS) como ferramenta para ampliação da notificação da Pair relacionada ao trabalho Métodos: a intervenção consistiu em uma oficina estruturada em cinco etapas, as quais proporcionaram discussão sobre a Pair, conhecimento do PPLS, prática do PPLS, socialização dos resultados e avaliação do evento. Resultados: a prática do PPLS, a partir de um problema real, viabilizou o delineamento de ações concretas de enfrentamento da subnotificação da Pair a serem implementadas nos Centros de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador (Cerest) e no estado como um todo. Conclusão: a experiência mostrou-se bem-sucedida ao fomentar a tomada de consciência e mobilização dos técnicos para enfrentamento da subnotificação da Pair, ao tempo que propiciou qualificação em PPLS dos participantes.

Abstract Introduction: underreported occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is an issue that increases the invisibility and lack of priority of this condition in occupational health (OH) programs. Hence, permanent education actions focused on strategic-situational planning may help address the situation. Objective: to present and discuss the experience of an educational intervention in OH technicians of a larger health region in the state of Bahia, Brazil, approaching the use of the Local Health Planning and Program (PPLS, in Portuguese) as a toll to increase reports of ONIHL. Methods: the intervention had a workshop structured into five stages, which approached ONIHL discussions, PPLS knowledge, PPLS practice, result socialization, and event evaluation. Results: real-problem PPLS practice made it possible to outline concrete actions to address underreported ONIHL, which can be implemented in Occupational Health Reference Centers (Cerest) and other settings statewide. Conclusion: the experience proved to be positive, raising technicians' awareness of underreported ONIHL and mobilizing them to address the underreporting of ONIHL, while also effectively training participants to use PPLS.

Risk assessment of occupational noise-induced hearing loss in worker in a metal tool manufacturing enterprise / 中国职业医学

Objective To evaluate the risk of occupational noise-induced hearing loss in workers in a metal tool manufacturing enterprise, and to carry out risk classification and risk management. Methods A total of 91 male noise-exposed workers from a metal tool manufacturing enterprise in Hebei Province were selected as the research subjects using the convenience sampling method. The work site survey on occupational health and the measurement on individual noise exposure level were carried out. The ISO 1999：2013 (E) Acoustics-Estimation of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss was used to predict the risk of high frequency hearing loss (HFHL) and occupational noise-induced deafness (ONID). The risk classification and risk management were conducted using the WS/T 754-2016 Guideline for Risk Management of Occupational Noise Hazard (hereinafter referred to as WS/T 754-2016). Results The individual noise exposure intensity of workers in the six work sites of the enterprise, including blade workers, sheet punching workers, roller forging workers (hoe), hole punching workers, roller forging workers(shovels), and carpenters, exceeded the national occupational exposure limit, with the maximum volume of 91.2-104.1 dB(A). Among these workers, the positions of blade workers, sheet punching workers, and roller forging workers (hoe) were identified as critical control points for noise hazards in the enterprise. The detection rates of HFHL and ONID were 24.2% and 8.8%, respectively. The risk prediction results showed that, based on the actual noise exposure time and age of the study subjects, the risk of HFHL and ONID ranged from 1.7%-48.8% and 0.0%-29.5%, respectively. The risks of HFHL caused solely by occupational noise exposure when working up to 50.0, 55.0, and 60.0 years of age were 11.4% to 64.7%, 16.4% to 65.1%, and 17.2% to 59.4%, respectively. The risks of ONID caused solely by occupational noise exposure were 0.0% to 45.5%, 4.2% to 51.7%, and 5.9% to 57.4%, respectively. Except for the blade workers, the predicted median of potential noise-induced permanent threshold shifts (NIPTS) in the other five positions were lower than the actual values of NIPTS, with the difference ranging from 3.0-28.3 dB, and 73.3% of them underestimated by 10.0 dB or more. Conclusion The outcome of noise exposure on the hearing of workers in this enterprise are severe. Risk management should be conducted according to the WS/T 755-2016.

Bibliometric and bioinformatics analysis of genetic literature on susceptibility to noise induced hearing loss / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To summarize and analyse of literature on the susceptibility genes of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) , and the key genes were screened and obtained by bioinformatics method, so as to provide reference for the prevention research of NIHL. Methods: In September 2021, Based on CNKI, NCBI Pubmed database and Web of Science database, this paper conducted bibliometric analysis and bioinformatics analysis on the genetic literature related to the susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss from 1999 to 2020. Endnote X9 software and the WPS office software were used for bibliometric analysis, and online software STRING and Cytoscape software were used for bioinformatics analysis. Results: A total of 131 literatures were included in the study, involving 40 genes in total. Bibliometric analysis shows that 131 papers which included 36 Chinese articles and 95 English articles were published in 63 biomedical journals; the highest number of published articles was 19 in 2020. Bioinformatics analysis suggests that GAPDH、SOD2、SOD1、CAT、CASP3、IL6 and other genes play a key role in the interaction network. The involved pathways mainly include MAP2K and MAPK activations, PTEN regulation, P53-depardent G1 DNA damage response, signaoling by BRAF and RAF fusions and soon. Conclusion: The study of noise induced hearing loss involves multi gene biological information, and bioinformatics analysis is helpful to predict the occurrence and development of noise induced hearing loss.

Epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of occupational noise deafness in Nantong Area in 2017- 2021 / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of occupational noise induced deafness (ONID) in Nantong area and analyze the risk factors. Methods A total of 421 workers in hydropower industry who underwent physical examination in the outpatient clinic of Nantong Center for Disease Control and Prevention from January 2017 to December 2021 were selected as the research subjects.168 workers without ONID were divided into control group, and 253 workers diagnosed with ONID were divided into ONID group. The expression levels of serum cortisol, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results There were more males than females in both groups (P<0.05). With the increase of working age, the detection rate of ONID also increased significantly (P<0.05). The hearing thresholds of left and right ears in workers of different workplaces in the ONID group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the hearing thresholds of workers in water wheel room and water machine operation duty room were higher (P<0.05). The expression levels of cortisol, IL-6 and TNF-α in the serum of ONID patients were significantly higher than those in the control group. Multivariate analysis showed that workplace, serum cortisol, IL-6 and TNF-α were the main influencing factors for ONID. Conclusion Workplace, serum cortisol, IL-6 and TNF-α are all risk factors for ONID. Appropriate measures should be taken to strengthen the prevention and treatment of noise-induced hearing loss according to the influencing factors.

Effect of noise on hearing loss among workers in a fastener manufacturing enterprise / 预防医学

Objective @#To investigate the current status of hearing loss in a fastener manufacturing enterprise, and to analyze its influencing factors, so as to provide insights into occupational disease prevention and control. @*Methods@#The occupational health examination data of noise exposed workers and the workplace occupational disease hazard factors detection data in a fastener manufacturing enterprise in Jiaxing City in 2022 were collected through the Occupational Disease and Occupational Health Hazard Factors Detection System of China Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and factors affecting the development of high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (HFNIHL) and speech-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (SFNIHL) were analyzed. @*Results@#Totally 625 workers were investigated, with a median age of 44.00 (interquartile range, 13.00) years and a median length of service of 8.00 (interquartile range, 9.00) years, and including 519 men (83.04%) and 106 women (16.96%). There were 309 workers with single noise exposure (49.44%) and 316 workers with joint noise exposure (50.56%), and 518 workers exposed to noise with the normalized continuous A-weighted sound pressure level equivalent to a 40 h working week (LEX,40 h) that exceeded the national standard (82.88%). The detection rates of HFNIHL and SFNIHL were 49.12% and 35.04%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that males (OR=10.528, 95%CI: 5.271-21.025), length of service of 10 years and longer (OR=2.451, 95%CI: 1.599-3.759), LEX,40 h of >85 dB (A) (OR=2.227, 95%CI: 1.318-3.764) and joint noise exposure (OR=3.002, 95%CI: 2.080-4.334) were associated with an increased risk of HFNIHL, and male (OR=9.400, 95%CI: 4.211-20.985), LEX,40 h of >85 dB (A) (OR=2.305, 95%CI: 1.345-3.951), and joint noise exposure (OR=3.880, 95%CI: 2.677-5.623) were associated with an increased risk of SFNIHL.@*Conclusion@#Gender, length of service, noise intensity and exposure mode are factors affecting the risk of HFNIHL, while gender, noise intensity and exposure mode are factors affecting the risk of SFNIHL.

Tradução e adaptação transcultural do Noise Exposure Questionnaire (NEQ) para o português brasileiro / Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Noise Exposure Questionnaire (NEQ) to Brazilian Portuguese

RESUMO Objetivo Traduzir e realizar a adaptação transcultural dos instrumentos Noise Exposure Questionnaire (NEQ) e 1-Minute Noise Screen (NEQ-S) para a versão em português brasileiro. Método O processo de tradução e adaptação transcultural seguiu procedimentos amplamente utilizados em pesquisas da área da saúde, compostos pelas seguintes etapas: tradução inicial, síntese das traduções, retrotradução, comitê de especialistas, pré-teste, e validação do conteúdo e aparência. Na etapa de pré-teste, participaram 60 trabalhadores, que responderam aos questionários e, posteriormente, os avaliaram quanto ao: entendimento, aparência, clareza e escrita. Para a verificação da confiabilidade, foi utilizado o teste kappa de Cohen e para a análise da consistência interna foi aplicado o coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. Resultados As versões traduzidas e adaptadas dos questionários NEQ e NEQ-S mostraram-se semelhantes em relação ao significado geral e referencial. Entretanto, algumas modificações e adaptações foram realizadas, para adequação à realidade brasileira. O teste kappa indicou concordância moderada e o coeficiente alfa de Cronbach, consistência interna substancial. Conclusão A tradução e a adaptação transcultural foram realizadas de acordo com a metodologia preconizada na literatura nacional e internacional, incluindo-se as equivalências necessárias para a manutenção da validade de face e conteúdo com o instrumento original. A disponibilização dos questionários NEQ e NEQ-S na versão da língua portuguesa brasileira abre novos campos de pesquisa para aprofundamento da quantificação de exposição anual ao ruído.

ABSTRACT Objective To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Noise Exposure Questionnaire (NEQ) and 1-Minute Noise Screen (NEQ-S) instruments to Brazilian Portuguese. Methods Procedures widely known in health research were used in the translation and cross-cultural adaptation process, comprising the following steps: initial translation, synthesis of translations, back-translation, expert committee, pretest, and content and layout validation. Altogether, 60 workers participated in the pretest by answering the questionnaires and then evaluating them in terms of understandability, layout, clarity, and writing. Reliability was verified with Cohen's kappa test, and the internal consistency was analyzed with Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results The translated and adapted versions of NEQ and NEQ-S were similar in terms of general and referential meanings. However, some modifications and adaptations were made to adapt them to the Brazilian reality. The kappa test indicated moderate agreement and Cronbach's alpha coefficient, substantial internal consistency. Conclusion The translation and cross-cultural adaptation were carried out according to the methodology recommended in the national and international literature, performing the necessary equivalences to maintain the face and content validity with the original instrument. The availability of NEQ and NEQ-S in Brazilian Portuguese opens new fields of research to quantify yearly noise exposure more in-depth.

Tradução, adaptação e validação transcultural para o português brasileiro do questionário de Avaliação da Proteção Auditiva (APA) / Translation, adaptation, and cross-cultural validation into Brazilian portuguese of the hearing protection assessment questionnaire (HPA)

RESUMO Objetivo O objetivo do presente estudo foi traduzir, adaptar e validar transculturalmente a versão para língua portuguesa brasileira do questionário Hearing Protection Assessment Questionnaire (HPA). Método O instrumento original, desenvolvido na língua inglesa, buscou avaliar as barreiras e suportes relacionados ao uso dos dispositivos de proteção auditiva (DPA), assim como o conhecimento, hábitos e atitudes dos trabalhadores frente ao ruído ocupacional. A tradução, adaptação e validação transcultural do questionário foi composta de cinco etapas: Tradução do questionário do inglês para o português; 2) Processo inverso de tradução do português para o inglês; 3) Análise do instrumento por três especialistas na área; 4) Pré-teste do questionário com 10 trabalhadores; 5) Aplicação do instrumento em 509 trabalhadores de uma indústria frigorífica após o exame admissional. Resultados os resultados indicam a validade de construção e conteúdo da versão em Português Brasileiro para o seu uso com uma população trabalhadora e a consistência interna do mesmo. Conclusão Este estudo resultou na tradução, na adaptação cultural e validação do questionário Hearing Protection Assessment Questionnaire (HPA) com a finalidade de ser usado para avaliar o uso de proteção auditiva individual em âmbito ocupacional, denominado Questionário de Avaliação da Proteção Auditiva (APA).

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of the present study is to translate, adapt, and cross-culturally validate the Brazilian Portuguese version of the questionnaire Hearing Protection Assessment Questionnaire (HPA). Methods The original instrument, developed in English, seeks to assess barriers and supports related to the use of hearing protection devices (HPD), as well as workers' knowledge, habits and attitudes towards occupational noise. The translation, adaptation, and cross-cultural validation of the questionnaire consisted of five steps: Translation of the questionnaire from English to Portuguese; 2) Reverse translation from Portuguese to English; 3) Analysis of the instrument by three experts in the field; 4) Pre-test of the questionnaire with ten workers; 5) Application of the instrument to 509 workers in a meatpacking industry after the pre-employment medical exam. Results The results indicate the construction and content validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version for use with a working population and its internal consistency. Conclusion This study resulted in the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Hearing Protection Assessment Questionnaire (HPA), in order to be used to assess the use of individual hearing protection in the occupational field, called Hearing Protection Assessment Questionnaire (HPA).

The circadian timing of noise exposure influences noise-induced inflammatory responses in the mouse cochlea

Abstract Introduction: Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common forms of sensorineural hearing loss. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of noise-induced hearing loss are still not fully understood. Objective: To investigate the dynamics of inflammatory responses in the mammalian cochlea following noise trauma at two different times, once during the light cycle and once during the dark. Methods: We challenged C57BL/6J mice with moderate, continuous noise trauma at either 9 a.m. or 9 p.m. Auditory function, histological changes in hair cells, and modifications in gene expression levels of inflammatory mediators were assessed at specific time points. Shifts in auditory brainstem response thresholds were measured at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after noise exposure to measure potential noise-induced hearing loss. Cochlear basilar-membrane immunofluorescent staining was performed at 3 and 14 days after noise exposure. The mRNA levels of several inflammatory mediators were measured via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction before (pre) and after (0, 3, 12, 24 and 72 h) noise exposure. Results: We found that all noise-exposed mice developed a temporary threshold shift and that there were no significant differences between daytime and nighttime noise exposures in terms of inducing hearing-threshold shifts. Similarly, we did not detect significant histological changes in hair cells between these two groups. However, we discovered an interesting phenomenon in that the peak mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2 and TNF-α were higher in day noise-exposed mice compared to those in night noise-exposed mice, and these mRNA levels subsided more slowly in day noise-exposed mice. Conclusion: Overall, these observations suggest that the circadian timing of noise exposure has a significant effect on noise-induced inflammatory responses in the mouse cochlea and that a greater inflammatory response might occur after daytime exposure.

Is it necessary to perform occupational audiometric testing at 6-months of employment? / É necessário fazer teste audiométrico ocupacional 6 meses após a admissão?

Abstract Introduction: Current Brazilian legislation requires that all workers exposed to noise are to be given an audiogram upon hiring, after 6 months of employment (first periodic test), and annually after the first periodic test. In other countries, the regulations of hearing conservation programs do not include the requirement for audiometric testing at 6 months of employment, but only annually. There is no evidence that the periodicity adopted by Brazilian legislation is the most appropriate. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the first 3 occupational audiometric tests of workers exposed to noise. Methods: Historical cohort study with cross-sectional analysis. Participants were all male metallurgy workers aged up to 40 years. The first 3 audiograms of each worker were analyzed: pre-employment audiometric test, periodic audiometric test 1, and periodic audiometric test 2. For each worker, mean frequency thresholds were calculated at 3, 4, and 6 kHz in the left and right ears for each test. Statistical analysis was performed using the nonparametric Wilcoxon test. Results: A total of 988 workers were included. There was a significant difference in auditory thresholds between the pre-employment test and the 2 subsequent periodic tests for the right and left ears. There was no significant difference between Test1 and Test2 in either ear. Conclusion: Given the lack of difference between the first 2 periodic tests, we believe that they could be merged into a single test, i.e., first periodic audiometric testing could be performed at 12 months of employment without compromising workers' health.

Resumo Introdução: A legislação brasileira atual exige que todos os trabalhadores expostos a ruído recebam um audiograma na admissão, 6 meses após a admissão (primeiro teste periódico), e anualmente após o primeiro teste periódico, mas em outros países as regulamentações dos programas de conservação auditiva não incluem a exigência de teste audiométrico após 6 meses de admissão, mas apenas anualmente. Não há evidências de que a periodicidade adotada pela legislação brasileira seja a mais adequada. Objetivo: Avaliar os três primeiros exames audiométricos ocupacionais de trabalhadores expostos ao ruído. Método: Estudo de coorte histórica com análise transversal. Os participantes eram todos trabalhadores metalúrgicos do sexo masculino com até 40 anos. Os três primeiros audiogramas de cada trabalhador foram analisados: teste audiométrico pré-admissão, teste audiométrico periódico 1 e teste audiométrico periódico 2. Para cada trabalhador, os limiares de frequência médios foram calculados em 3, 4 e 6 kHz nas orelhas esquerda e direita para cada teste. A análise estatística foi feita através do teste não paramétrico de Wilcoxon. Resultados: Foram incluídos 988 trabalhadores. Houve uma diferença significante nos limiares auditivos entre o teste pré-admissão e os 2 testes periódicos subsequentes para as orelhas direita e esquerda. Não houve diferença significante entre o teste 1 e o teste 2 em nenhuma das orelhas. Conclusão: Dada a falta de diferença entre os 2 primeiros testes periódicos, acreditamos que eles poderiam ser combinados em um único teste, ou seja, o primeiro teste audiométrico periódico poderia ser feito após 12 meses de admissão sem comprometer a saúde dos trabalhadores.

The effectiveness of berberine on noise-induced hearing loss: a rat model

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Noise-induced hearing loss is a preventable form of hearing loss that has serious social and economic impacts. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of berberine, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, against Noise-induced hearing loss. METHODS: After applying distortion product otoacoustic emission, 28 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 was designated as acoustic trauma group, and rats in this group were exposed to white noise for 12 h at an intensity of 4 kHz 110 dB sound pressure level. Group 2 was the control group. Group 3 was designated as the berberine group, and 100 mg/kg of berberine was administered to rats in this group by intragastric lavage for five consecutive days. Group 4 was designated as the acoustic trauma+berberine group. distortion product otoacoustic emission was repeated on the 6th day of the study and cochlear tissues of rats were dissected for histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses after sacrificing rats. RESULTS: The distortion product otoacoustic emission results showed a significant decrease in signal-noise ratio values at higher frequencies in rats of the trauma group compared to those in other groups. Acoustic trauma caused severe histopathological impairment at cochlear structures together with severe 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine expression. Rats in the acoustic trauma+berberine group showed mild histopathological changes with mild 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine expression and better signal-noise ratio values. CONCLUSION: The histopathological and audiological findings of this experimental study showed that berberine provides protection in Noise-induced hearing loss and may have the potential for use in acoustic trauma-related hearing losses.

Impacto das ações do centro de referência em saúde do trabalhador nos dados de notificação compulsória de pair no Distrito Federal: um estudo qualitativo / The impact of the measures by the reference centers in worker's health on the compulsory notification nihl data in the Brazilian Federal District: a qualitative study / Impacto de las acciones del centro de referencia de salud del trabajador en los datos de notificación obligatoria de pair en el Distrito Federal: un estudio cualitativo

Introdução: A Perda Auditiva Induzida por Ruído (PAIR) é um agravo que acomete os trabalhadores expostos a ruídos e está entre os agravos que devem ser notificados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN). Objetivo: Analisar o impacto das ações desenvolvidas pelo Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador (CEREST-DF) em relação às notificações de PAIR no Distrito Federal. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo longitudinal, retrospectivo com base na análise de dados secundários de notificações de PAIR do SINAN-DF, desde sua implementação; foram levantados relatórios dos CEREST-DF sobre as ações desenvolvidas; e análise de documentos dos CEREST procurando pelas ações que foram realizadas sobre PAIR e o impacto que causaram. Resultados: utilizando ações, como: projetos, palestras, busca-ativa, entre outros, o CEREST realiza a prática da educação em saúde, e, com o conhecimento fornecido ao público-alvo, é perceptível o aumento de notificações nos mesmos períodos de realização das ações com os trabalhadores e empregadores. Além disso, a contratação de fonoaudiólogo para a equipe do CEREST também eleva estes números, pois é o profissional envolvido na saúde auditiva de modo geral. Conclusão: A partir deste estudo foi possível observar que as ações do CEREST se refletem no número de notificações de PAIR no SINAN, reduzindo a subnotificação.

Introduction: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a hearing impairment that affects workers exposed to loud noises and is one of the conditions that must be reported to the Brazilian Disease Reporting Information System (SINAN). Objective: To analyze the impact of the measures developed by the Reference Centers in Workers' Health (CEREST-DF) in relation to NIHL notifications in the Brazilian Federal District. Methods: A longitudinal, retrospective study was carried out based on the analysis of secondary data of NIHL notifications from SINAN-DF. Since its implementation. CEREST-DF reports were collected on the measures developed and analysis of CEREST documents looking for measures that were carried out with NIHL and the effect they caused. Results: Utilizing educational measures such as projects, lectures, active search, among others CEREST carries out health education, and to target audiences, there was a noticeable increase in notifications in the same periods of these measures being carried out with employees and employers. In addition, a speech therapist was hired by the CEREST team what also helped to increase these numbers, since speech therapists are professionals involved in the health of hearing. Conclusion: This study made it possible to see that the measures carried out by CEREST are reflected in the number of NIHL notifications in SINAN which helped to reduce under-reporting.

Introducción: La Pérdida Auditiva Inducida por Ruido (PAIR) es un problema que afecta a los trabajadores expuestos al ruido y se encuentra entre los problemas que deben ser reportados en el Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN; Sistema de Información Sanitaria Notificable).Objetivo:Analizar si las acciones desarrolladas por el Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador do Distrito Federal (CEREST-DF; Centro de Referencia de Salud Ocupacional) reflejan en el número de notificaciones de PAIR en el DF. Métodos:Se realizó un estudio longitudinal, retrospectivo, basado en el análisis de datos secundarios de notificaciones de PAIR del SINAN-DF, desde su implementación; Se recopilaron informes de CEREST-DF sobre las acciones desarrolladas; y análisis de documentos de CEREST buscando las acciones que se tomaron sobre PAIR y el impacto que causaron. Resultados: Utilizando acciones como: proyectos, conferencias, búsqueda activa, entre otras, CEREST realiza la práctica de educación en salud, y, con el conocimiento proporcionado al público objetivo, se nota el incremento de notificaciones en los mismos períodos de acciones con trabajadores y empleadores. Además, la contratación de un (a) logopeda para el equipo de CEREST también eleva estos números, ya que éste (ésta) es el (la) profesional relacionado (a) con la salud auditiva en general. Conclusión: A partir de este estudio se pudo observar que las acciones de CEREST se reflejan en el número de notificaciones de PAIR en SINAN, reduciendo el subregistro.

Analysis on occupational noise deafness in a provincial occupational disease diagnosis institution from 2016 to 2020 / 中国职业医学

@#Objective - （ ） To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of occupational noise induced deafness ONID （ ） diagnosed by Guangdong Province Hospital of Occupational Disease Prevention and Control GDHOD from 2016 to 2020 and - Methods the reasons non ONID diagnosis. The data of ONID patients diagnosed in GDHOD from 2016 to 2020 were collected “ from the Occupational Disease Report Card in the Occupational Disease and Occupational Health Information Monitoring ” “ ” - System subsystem of the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System . The data of non ONID subjects were ， collected from the occupational disease diagnosis archives in the same hospital and the relevant data were analyzed Results ， ， （ ） retrospectively. Of the 1 432 subjects 824 subjects were diagnosed as ONID patients mainly of mild ONID 86.0% . （M） ， M Male patients accounted for 88.0%. The median of diagnosis age was 45.0 years old and of length of employment of ， ， ， diagnosis was 8.3 years. ONID patients were mainly found in Zhongshan Dongguan Zhuhai Jiangmen and Guangzhou City in ， ， （ ） the Pearl River Delta accounting for 67.6%. The cases distributed in 519 enterprises mainly on manufacturing 90.2% . ， - ， ； Among the 139 enterprises each enterprise had 2 11 patients worked within five years accounting for 53.9% 91.1% of the -， - - - ONID patients were distributed in large medium and small enterprises. ONID patients mainly worked in non public enterprises that accounted for 91.3%. There were 606 subjects could not be diagnosed as ONID. The main reasons for not being （ ）， diagnosed were that the weighted value of better ear hearing threshold was less than 26 dB 34.8% the working history of （ ）， occupational noise exposure was less than three years 31.5% the weighted value of better ear hearing threshold was less thanConclusion 26 dB and the average hearing threshold of binaural high frequency was less than 40 dB 16.2% . The ONID ， ， -， - patients have the characteristics of group aggregation. The Pearl River Delta manufacturing industry large medium and - - ： small non public enterprises are the key points of ONID prevention. The main reasons for not being diagnosed as ONID were ， the working history of occupational noise exposure was less than three years the weighted value of better ear hearing threshold ， - was less than 26 dB and the average high frequency hearing threshold of both ears was less than 40 dB.

The relationship between anxiety- and depression-like behavior and regional homogeneity of fMRI in inferior colliculus and ventrolateral orbital cortex in rats with noise-induced hearing loss / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the local consistency of inferior colliculus and ventrolateral orbital cortex by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in rats with noise induced deafness and its relationship with anxiety- and depression-like behavior.Methods:Twenty-four clean grade male four-weeks old SD rats were randomly divided into noise group and control group with 12 rats in each group.Rats in the noise group were exposed to 122 dB broadband strong noise for 2 hours to induce severe bilateral hearing loss, while rats in the control group were placed in a quiet environment. Hearing thresholds were assessed by auditory brainstem response (ABR) test. The open field test (OFT) was conducted to examine anxiety-depression related behavior, and the local consistency in the rat brain was evaluated by fMRI.SPM12 software was used to process fMRI data, and Pearson correlation analysis was conducted by SPSS 22.0 software to calculate the correlation between fMRI data and behavior.Results:The results of ABR showed that the full band hearing threshold of rats in the noise group was higher than that of rats in the control group ((85.417±6.463) dB, (20.083±8.853) dB, t=46.168, P<0.001). And compared with control group, the rats in the noise group showed obvious anxiety-depression-like behavior in the open field test, that was, low activity level.The results of OFT showed that the total distance ((39.912±5.696) m, (47.993±10.820)m, t=-2.289, P=0.032), average moving speed ((13.306±1.900)cm/s, (15.998±3.607)cm/s, t=-2.290, P=0.032) and standing times ((13.333±5.960), (23.500±7.323), t=-3.730, P=0.001) of the rats in the noise group were all lower than those in the control group. Compared with the control group, the local consistency of hypothalamus in the noise group was significantly enhanced, while the local consistency of ventrolateral orbital cortex was significantly reduced, and the abnormal neural activity was lateralized. The correlation analysis showed that the neural activity of the inferior colliculus was negatively correlated with the total distance of rats in the noise group moving in the open field( r=-0.691, P=0.013), while the neural activity of the ventrolateral orbital cortex was not significantly correlated with the anxiety-depression-like behavior in the open field. Conclusions:The neural activity of inferior colliculus is closely related to anxious-depression behavior in rats with noise-induced deafness, while the ventrolateral orbital cortex may be related with other behaviors.

Keeping abreast with cutting-edge measurement and assessment techniques for complex noise in the workplace / 环境与职业医学

Complex noise is the dominant type of noise in workplaces. It can cause more serious hearing loss than steady-state noise. The existing noise measurement and evaluation standards based on the "equal energy hypothesis" are not completely suitable for complex noise. This paper introduced the status quo of workplace noise measurement and assessment techniques, and the research progress of workplace complex noise measurement and assessment techniques. In terms of future research in this area, four proposals were made, including to improve associated population database, develop and revise noise-related standards, establish methodology of kurtosis adjustment, and identify the incidence characteristics of kurtosis-related occupational hearing loss. The paper also introduced the special column "Measurement and assessment techniques of complex noise in the workplace".

Characteristics of occupational hearing loss in Zhejiang Province from 2006 to 2020 / 环境与职业医学

Background Occupational hearing loss associated with noise is becoming more and more serious, and occupational noise-induced deafness has become the second most frequently reported occupational disease in China. Objective To characterize occupational hearing loss in Zhejiang Province so as to provide a basis for the formulation of hearing protection strategies and measures. Methods Through the occupational diseases reporting system, the data of new cases of occupational noise-induced deafness in Zhejiang Province from 2006 to 2020 and the audiometry results of laborers who were exposed to occupational noise and participated in physical examinations from 2015 to 2020 were collected. The distribution of new cases of occupational noise-induced deafness were described in categories of region, year, industry, enterprise scale, age, onset age, and length of work, as well as the detection of increased high-frequency hearing threshold of workers who ordered occupational health examination in each year. Results A total of 575 cases of occupational noise-induced deafness were reported in Zhejiang Province from 2006 to 2020, of which 526 cases were male and 49 were female. The mean onset age of patients with noise-induced deafness was (44.8±8.0) years. There was a significant difference in mean onset age between male and female (t=3.420, Ρ=0.001). The median length of work [M (P25, P75)] at the time of onset was 9.0 (5.5, 13.2) years. The number of cases of noise-induced deafness and its proportion to the total number of occupational diseases in a year showed an increasing trend from 2006 to 2020 and the average annual growth rate was 22.11%. The patients were mainly distributed in the Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Jiaxing, and the number of cases were 194, 140, and 112, respectively, accounting for 77.5% of the total cases in Zhejiang Province. Manufacturing industry was dominant one in terms of the number of cases, which accounted for 89.6% (515 cases). Private economic enterprise, in terms of economic type, accounted for 57.4% (330 cases). There were significant differences in the length of work at the time of onset among different economic types of enterprises (H=29.081, Ρ<0.001). There were 215 cases in the medium-sized enterprises and 265 in the small- and micro-sized enterprises, respectively, accounting for 83.5% of the the total number of cases. Conclusions From 2006 to 2020, the cases of occupational noise-induced deafness in Zhejiang Province present an increasing trend, with a relatively short length of work at the time of onset, and regional and industrial agglomeration.

Facteurs prédictifs de la surdité professionnelle induite par le bruit chez les travailleurs des centrales électriques / Predictive factors of occupational noise-induced hearing loss in power plant workers

Analyser le lien entre la surdité professionnelle induite par le bruit et les caractéristiques socioprofessionnelles des travailleurs. Méthodes: C'était une étude prospective et analytique, par enquête avec évaluation audiométrique du 1er août au 30 septembre 2020, concernant 92 travailleurs des deux centrales de la Société Nationale d'Electricité de N'Djamena.Les tests de khi2et de corrélation de Pearson étaient utilisés à la recherche d'un lien entre la surdité due au bruit et les facteurs socioprofessionnels; une différence était dite statistiquement significative si p <0,05. Résultats: L'échantillon était constitué de 96% d'hommes. L'âge variait de 23 à 64 ans avec une moyenne de 38,7 ± 9,0 ans. Quarante-sept (51%) employés étaient formés sur la sécurité en milieu professionnel. Les agents de quarts représentaient 45% des cas (n=41). La durée d'exposition moyenne au bruit était de 10,8 ± 8,5 ans. Le port des équipements de protection individuelle était régulier dans 86% des cas (n =79). La surdité professionnelle a été observée dans 55% des cas (n=51). L'âge (p <10-3) et la durée d'exposition au bruit (p=0,002) étaient les facteurs associés significativement à la surdité. Conclusion: L'âge et l'ancienneté sont les facteurs prédictifs de la surdité chez les travailleurs exposés aux bruits des centrales électriques de N'Djamena.

Síntomas de hipoacusia y exposición al ruido recreativo en jóvenes universitarios, Barranquilla, Colombia / Hearing loss symptoms and leisure noise exposure in university students in Barranquilla, Colombia

RESUMEN Objetivo Investigar la participación de estudiantes universitarios en actividades de ocio productoras de ruido y la relación entre los niveles de exposición semanal al ruido recreativo y síntomas de hipoacusia auto reportados, en la ciudad de Barranquilla, Colombia. Método Se realizó un estudio transversal mediante encuesta virtual, basada en el Cuestionario de Exposición al Ruido, más 11 preguntas de síntomas auditivos, a una muestra aleatoria de 730 sujetos. El nivel de exposición semanal al ruido recreativo se estimó a partir del tiempo dedicado al total de actividades recreativas reportadas por los participantes y su evaluación subjetiva de la intensidad de ruido producida por cada actividad, transformada en niveles de ruido continuo equivalente. La asociación entre la exposición al ruido recreativo y la presencia de síntomas de hipoacusia se analizó mediante la prueba de Chi-cuadrado. Resultados El 93% de los participantes manifestó al menos un síntoma de hipoacusia y la mitad reportó cuatro o más. El síntoma más frecuente de hipoacusia asociada al ruido fue el tinnitus (72%). El 55% tenía una exposición semanal de ruido por encima de 85 dBA y en éstos la prevalencia de síntomas de hipoacusia fue mayor (p < 0.05). Conclusión Se sugiere la presencia de deterioro auditivo en gran parte la población universitaria, asociado con altas dosis de exposición semanal al ruido recreativo. Es necesario fortalecer los programas de promoción de la salud auditiva en la academia, y desde los servicios de salud, la valoración objetiva y periódica de la audición.

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the total weekly exposure to leisure noise among university students and to assess its association with self-reported symptoms of hypoacusis. Methods This is a cross-sectional survey. An online questionnaire based on the "Noise Exposure Questionnaire", plus 11 questions regarding hearing loss were sent to 730 randomly selected students. Participants self-reported time spent on different leisure noise activities and their subjective evaluation of the loudness of these activities, converted into equivalent noise levels, were used to estimate weekly noise exposure levels that were compared to occupational noise limits (> 85 dBA = hazardous). Inference statistics was applied to relate hearing symptoms and "likely or having some degree of hearing loss" with hazardous weekly leisure noise exposure levels. Results Ninety-three percent of the participants reported at least one hypoacusis symptom. The most frequent sound-related ear symptom was tinnitus (72%). Fifty-five percent of the individuals presented weekly exposure to noise >85 dBA. Symptoms of hearing loss were more prevalent in those exposed to weekly noise levels >85 dBA. Conclusion This study suggests that there may be hearing loss caused by exposure to high levels of leisure noise in a large part of the study population. Health promotion of hearing conservation should be emphasized at university level. Objective repeated measurement of hearing acuity should be part of integral health services for the youth population.

Dificuldade auditiva autorreferida em trabalhadores expostos à poeira industrial no sul do Brasil / Self-reported hearing difficulty in workers exposed to industrial dust in southern Brazil

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar a associação entre dificuldade auditiva autorreferida e exposição ocupacional à poeira industrial em trabalhadores do sul do Brasil. Método Trata-se de um estudo transversal analítico, realizado com dados do inquérito da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (2013). A variável dependente foi a dificuldade auditiva autorreferida e a variável independente principal foi a exposição ocupacional à poeira industrial. As covariáveis foram: sexo, cor da pele, idade em anos completos, exposição a ruído e exposição à substâncias químicas. As variáveis de exposição ocupacional a ruído e substâncias químicas foram utilizadas como variáveis de ajuste (variáveis de confusão) e as análises foram estratificadas por cada estado (Santa Catarina, Paraná e Rio Grande do Sul), com o intuito de verificar a diferença na magnitude dos resultados por região. Tanto para a análise bruta quanto para a ajustada, a razão de chance foi utilizada como medida de associação, estimada por meio da análise de regressão logística. Os dados foram analisados no software Stata, versão 14. Resultados Com relação a exposição principal, 10,1% da amostra (n=490) afirmou estar exposta à poeira industrial em ambiente ocupacional, ao passo que 7,0% afirmou ter dificuldade auditiva. Na análise final, trabalhadores expostos a poeira industrial apresentaram 1,77 vezes mais chance de mencionar dificuldade auditiva, quando comparados a indivíduos não expostos a este agente. Conclusão Houve associação entre dificuldade auditiva e exposição à poeira industrial em trabalhadores da região Sul do Brasil.

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate the association between self-reported hearing difficulties and occupational exposure to industrial dust in workers in southern Brazil. Methods This is a cross-sectional analytical study conducted with data from the National Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2013). The dependent variable was self-reported hearing impairment, and the primary independent variable was occupational exposure to industrial dust. The covariables were: sex, skin color, age in complete years, exposure to noise, and exposure to chemical substances. The variables of occupational exposure to noise and chemical substances were used as adjustment variables (confounding variables), and the analyses were stratified per state (Santa Catarina, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul) to verify the difference in magnitude results per region. For the crude and adjusted analysis, the odds ratio (OR) was used as a measure of association, estimated through the logistic regression analysis. The data were analyzed through the software Stata, version 14. Results Regarding the main exposure, 10.1% of the sample (n = 490) reported being exposed to industrial dust in an occupational environment, while 7.0% reported hearing impairment. In the final analysis, workers exposed to industrial dust were 1.77 times more likely to report hearing impairment when compared to individuals not exposed to this agent. Conclusion There was an association between hearing impairment and exposure to industrial dust in workers in the southern region of Brazil.