Utilização de estéreos pessoais por alunos do ensino médio: mensuração da intensidade utilizada e hábitos de uso / Use of digital audio players by high school students: measurement of use intensity and usage habits

RESUMO Objetivo Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo mensurar em um ambiente ruidoso o nível de pressão sonora dos estéreos pessoais de jovens do ensino médio, levantar suas queixas auditivas e extra-auditivas e seus hábitos de uso. Considerando-se ainda a preocupação com a saúde auditiva e as fontes utilizadas pelos jovens para obtenção de informações sobre o assunto. Método Trata-se de um estudo observacional, descritivo, quantitativo, de delineamento transversal, do qual participaram jovens do ensino médio. Inicialmente foi realizado o exame de emissões otoacústicas evocadas por estímulos transientes, seguido da resolução de um questionário e a mensuração do nível de pressão sonora dos reprodutores de música utilizados em situação ruidosa simulada. Resultados A partir da mensuração dos estéreos pessoais, foram encontradas as intensidades mínima, de 69 dB(A), e máxima, de 93 dB(A). Os resultados mostraram hábitos nocivos à saúde auditiva sendo realizados pelos jovens, tais como tempo de uso (horas, dias e anos) e intensidade utilizada nos estéreos pessoais, assim como sintomas que podem indicar suscetibilidade a perdas auditivas. Observou-se que os jovens, em sua maioria, afirmam preocupar-se com sua audição, no entanto não há mudança de atitude diante dessas situações. Conclusão O hábito do uso do estéreo pessoal é iniciado muito cedo dentro da população escolar e, em muitos casos, esse costume é praticado com o equipamento em intensidades elevadas, o que pode acarretar diversos prejuízos a esses alunos.

ABSTRACT Purpose The main goal of this study was to measure the sound pressure level of digital audio players of high school students and investigate their auditory and non-auditory complaints, and their hearing habits. Another goal was to consider the concern with hearing health and the knowledge sources used by young people to gather information about the subject. Methods This is an observational, descriptive, quantitative, and cross-sectional study, which had the participation of high school students. The first step was an examination of transient-evoked optoacoustic emissions, followed by the application of a questionnaire and the measurement of the volume of audio players. Results The results showed harmful habits of young people regarding hearing health, such as an excessive time of use (hours, days and years) and high volume levels of digital audio players (DAPs), as well as symptoms that may point to hearing loss. It was found that most young people seem to be concerned about their hearing; however, there is no change of attitude to such situations. Conclusion The students develop the habit of using DAPs at very early ages and, in many cases, this habit is practiced with the equipment operating at high intensities, which can cause several hearing losses in these students.

A study Investigating Sound Sources and Noise Levels in Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Background. Exposure to noise in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has the potential to affect neonatal auditory development; sleep patterns and physiological stability; thus impacting on developmental progress.Objectives. This study aimed to identify noise sources in three NICUs in Johannesburg; South Africa; and to determine the sound levels to which neonates in incubators are exposed at various positions in the NICU. These findings were then compared with the standards recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).Methods. A prospective; repeated designs measure was adopted. Sound levels were recorded in 5 different areas of the NICUs at four different times of the day over the course of 3 days. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.Results. Sound levels recorded in all the NICUs were considerably higher than those recommended by the AAP; placing vulnerable neonates at risk for developmental disorders. Significantly; most of the noise was human-generated; highlighting the need to develop awareness of the negative effects of noise in the NICU and to implement programmes to reduce noise.Conclusion. The findings have important implications for neonatal care; and highlight the importance of noise reduction and monitoring strategies in the NICU

Exposure to classroom sound pressure level among dance teachers in Porto Alegre (RS)

Introduction: Dance teachers are exposed to high sound intensities. Aim: To verify the sound intensity of music used by dance teachers during classes. Method: This was a transversal and prospective study. Dance teachers were evaluated with a sociodemographic questionnaire, and sound intensity level measurements were taken at the beginning, middle, and end of dance classes. Results: The sample comprised 35 teachers (average age, 31.8 years). The duration of their career as dance teachers was 1-37 years; they worked daily for approximately 1-10 h. Among the classes followed, there were 15 (42.85%) classical ballet classes, 4 (11.42%) tap dancing lessons, 5 (14.28%) jazz dance classes, 2 (5.71) Arab dance lessons, 6 (17.14%) street dance classes, and 3 (8.57%) ballroom dancing lessons. The average values observed at the beginning, middle, and end of the classes were 80.91 dB (A), 83.22 dB (A), and 85.19 dB (A), respectively. The music played in the street dance classes exposed teachers to the highest sound intensity. Conclusion: The average level of sound intensity of the dance classes in this study was either below or equal to the limit considered harmful for hearing health. Analysis of different class types showed that the sound densities of street, ballroom, and tap dance classes were above the recommended limits...

Sound level in a ten year period in Shahrekord City

Noise is part of daily life in all human societies. It, like other pollutants, decreased the quality of life and is a hazard for public health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find field data with respect to noise in the urban areas and to use data for applying measures to limit and control the exposure rate to environmental noise. In this study, sound level was measured across the city based on heavy, moderate, and light traffic jams; residential, educational, and remedial areas. Measurement was conducted in two times, 1992 using 8 stations and 2001 using 10 stations. To determine the noise level based on the public opinions, 20 persons were randomly selected in each overcrowding station and interviewed. The data was analyzed using Wilkoxon, chi-square and binomial analyses. The average of daily sound level in the first and the second period was 68.8 +/- 6.3 and 61.6 +/- 5.1 dB, respectively. The average of night sound level in the first and second period was 73.8 +/- 7.7 and 62.6 +/- 5.9 dB, respectively [p>0.05]. The average of sound variations during day and at night was 24 +/- 5.2 and 24.5 +/- 5 dB in the first period and was 28.8 +/- 8.7 and 23.4 +/- 4.5 dB in the second period, respectively. Twelve percent of the citizens in the first and nineteen percent of them in the second period complained about noise pollution. As one of the most important environmental problems, noise was ranked fifth and third in 1992 and 2001, respectively. Our results showed that civilization patterns are improved slower than growth rate of noise-causing factors across the cities

Valoración de ruidos articulares en la ATM: punto de vista odontológico / Assessment of TMJ joint sounds: dental point of view

El objetivo este estudio, fue identificar la importancia que le da a diferentes aspectos relacionados con la aparición de ruidos articulares (RA) la articulación en temporomandibular (ATM), un grupo de 290 odontólogos. A los odontólogos se les aplicó una encuesta, en donde se les preguntó acerca de la importancia que les merecía la aparición de RA (clicking y crepitación) y su tratamiento, en ausencia o presencia de otros signos o síntomas; como también, acerca de la relación causal entre maloclusión y RA y sobre la posibilidad de considerarlos normales. Los resultados mostraron que para estos odontólogos, la aparición de RA y su tratamiento, son importantes; ya sea que se presenten, o no, asociados con otros signos o síntomas; y además, consideran que la relación causal entre maloclusión y aparición de RA, es alta.

The purpose of this study was to identify the value of different aspects related with the apperance of TMJ sounds by the dentists. A survey was conducted to the dentists and they were enquired about the importance attached to joint sounds (clicking and crepitus) and their treatment when other signs or symptoms are present or absent. Also, they were asked about the causal relation between malocclusion and joint sounds and the possibility of being considered normal. The results showed that the presence of TMJ sounds and their treatment are important for the dentist, whether the sounds are associated or not with other signs or symptoms. Morover, they considered the causal relation between malocclusion and presence of joint sounds high.

A survey of the thermal environment, sound and illuminance in an iron and a steel foundry and related health effects.

The thermal environment and the workers' physiological response to heat were monitored throughout the casting process in two foundries. Of the 86 thermal observations in the iron foundry, 25 (29%) exceeded the heat stress index set by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advisory committee in 1974. In the steel foundry during a steel casting the environmental thermal measurements remained above the standard. The workers' physiological indices of heat strain as measured by pulse rate and body temperature rarely showed excursions above limits recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) in 1969. The environmental noise levels exceeded the standard in certain foundry operations. A significant hearing threshold shift was observed at 4 kHz among the foundry workers when compared with non-exposed controls. The illuminance in both foundries was below values recommended by the illuminating Engineering Society, in 1977. The prevalence of lens and corneal opacities among workers in the iron foundry was 32.5% and 30.0% respectively, which was significantly higher than that of the workers in the steel foundry and non-exposed controls.