Auditory Effects of Exposure to Noise and Solvents: A Comparative Study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Industry workers are exposed to different environmental risk agents that, when combined, may potentiate risks to hearing. Objective: To evaluate the effects of the combined exposure to noise and solvents on hearing in workers. Methods: A transversal retrospective cohort study was performed through documentary analysis of an industry. The sample (n = 198) was divided into four groups: the noise group (NG), exposed only to noise; the noise and solvents group (NSG), exposed to noise and solvents; the noise control group and noise and solvents control group (CNS), no exposure. Results: The NG showed 16.66% of cases suggestive of bilateral noise-induced hearing loss and NSG showed 5.26%. The NG and NSG had worse thresholds than their respective control groups. Females were less susceptible to noise than males; however, when simultaneously exposed to solvents, hearing was affected in a similar way, resulting in significant differences (p < 0.05). The 40- to 49-year-old age group was significantly worse (p < 0.05) in the auditory thresholds in the NSG compared with the CNS. Conclusion: The results observed in this study indicate that simultaneous exposure to noise and solvents can damage the peripheral auditory system...