RESUMO
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of tightened hearing protection regulations on tinnitus in the Finnish Defence Forces. The initial study group comprised 252 officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs), of which 229 were included in the final study group. Subjective symptoms of tinnitus and audiometric test results for these officers and NCOs examined before retirement, from 1984 to 1986 (Period I), and 2003 to 2005 (Period II), were reviewed. Changes in tinnitus reports between the two time periods, during which regulations had been revised, were investigated. Prevalence of tinnitus showed a decline both in officers (from 68% to 63%) and in NCOs (from 76% to 72%) between the two study periods, in accordance with tightened hearing protection regulations. The Cox regression analysis showed a significantly decreased hazard ratio for constant or disturbing tinnitus for Period II. Tinnitus prevalence, especially constant or disturbing tinnitus, in the Finnish Defence Forces was diminished by tightened hearing protection regulations. Tinnitus might be more persistent than hearing loss and does not necessarily improve in direct relation to hearing loss after protective measures.
Assuntos
Dispositivos de Proteção das Orelhas , Militares , Ruído Ocupacional/prevenção & controle , Doenças Profissionais/prevenção & controle , Zumbido/prevenção & controle , Adulto , Audiometria , Orelha , Finlândia , Lateralidade Funcional , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Doenças Profissionais/epidemiologia , Doenças Profissionais/etiologia , Prevalência , Modelos de Riscos Proporcionais , Inquéritos e Questionários , Fatores de Tempo , Zumbido/epidemiologia , Zumbido/etiologiaRESUMO
CONCLUSION: Hearing protection regulations have improved the hearing test results of soldiers in the Finnish Defense Forces. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of revised regulations regarding usage of hearing protectors of professional soldiers in the Finnish Defense Forces. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The medical records of non-commissioned officers and officers examined at the Central Military Hospital ENT Department from 1984 to 1986 (Period I) and 2003 to 2005 (Period II) were reviewed. The study group comprised 252 persons. Changes in hearing between the two time periods, during which regulations were revised, were investigated. RESULTS: Hearing test results improved both in non-commissioned officers and in officers between the two study periods, in accordance with tightened hearing protection regulations. Improvement was found, especially in the high frequencies; however, the results were milder than expected, particularly in officers.
