• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제6권2호
• /
• pp.134-138
• /
• 2015

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a major preventable occupational health problem with 250 million people worldwide known to have disabling impairment of moderate to greater severity. The aims of the study are to estimate the prevalence of NIHL in the police force; and study its association with age, sex, duration of service (years), smoking and alcohol habits, use of hearing protective devices, as well as preexisting chronic diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 543 police personnel who had undergone periodic medical examination over a 12-month period. The diagnostic criteria for NIHL were (1) history of occupational noise exposure, (2) bilateral hearing loss, (3) hearing loss of ${\geq}25dBA$ at 4,000 Hz in two consecutive audiograms, and (4) no significant medical history affecting hearing. Severity of NIHL was based on the World Health Organization grading. Results: Males (74.8%) made up the majority of the police force. The mean age for police personnel was $35.55{\pm}9.57years$, and the mean duration of service was $14.75{\pm}9.39years$. Compliance with the usage of hearing protective devices was seen in 64.4%. The prevalence of NIHL in this study population was 34.2%, with a higher prevalence in males (37.7%) than in females (23.9%). The study also showed strong associations between NIHL and male sex (odds ratio, 1.9; P < 0.05), and hypertension (odds ratio, 3.3; P < 0.001). Overall, 93% were found to have mild NIHL, 3.5% had moderate NIHL, and 3.5% had severe NIHL. No police personnel were found to have profound hearing loss. Conclusion: The prevalence of NIHL in this study is high compared to other similar studies among police personnel. This study shows that increasing age, male, presence of hypertension, diabetes, and longer duration of service are significant associated factors for NIHL. Preventative strategies include health surveillance, implementation of a hearing conservation program, and legislation.

• 환경위생공학
• /
• 제13권1호
• /
• pp.123-134
• /
• 1998

The study was performed to investigate the differences among various evaluation criteria for noise-induced hearing loss(NIHL). The subjects were 100 workers who had received detailed audiometric examinations after the periodic annual examination for hearing loss. The evaluation criteria included were as follows: The criterion I was NIHL of 50dB or greater at 4,000Hz in either ear which is one of the legal requirements for determining occupational hearing loss in Korea. The criterion II was NIHL of 40dB or greater by 4-divided classification(a+b+c+d/4 at 500Hz(a), 1,000Hz(b), 2,000Hz(c), 4,000Hz(d)) which is also one of the legal requirements for determining occupational hearing loss in Korea. The criterion III was NIHL of 31dB of greater by 6-divided classification(a+2b+2c+d/6) which is the workers' compensation standard. The criterion IV was NIHL of 40dB or greater by 6-divided classification(a+2b+2c+d/6), the criterion used to prohibite workers to be employed in the noisy workplace. The criterion V was NIHL of 40dB or greater by 3-divided classification(a+b+c/3) which is the guideline of the Japanes Labour Department. The results were as follows; 1. The percentage of workers with NIHL by the criterion I was the highest(96%) and covered all workers with NIHL diagnosed by other criteria. Therefore, this criterion was the most sensitive one for early detection of NIHL among various evaluation criteria. 2. The percentage of workers with NIHL by the criterion II was 29% of the subjects, but all of them could be diagnosed as having NIHL by the criterion I and 33.1% of the NIHL by the criterion III could not be covered by the criterion II. Thus, this criterion was not considered suitable as an initial step for determining occupational hearing loss. 3. The percentage of workers with NIHL by the criterion III was 45% of the subjects. This percentage was 46.9% of the NIHL by the criterion I and was estimated to cover 3.6% of all noise exposed workers. 4. The percentage of workers with NIHL by the criterion IV was 28% of the subjects, but 37.8% of the NIHL by the criterion III and 70.8% of the NIHL by the criterion I were not covered by the criterion. Therefore, these workers could have been employed in the noisy workplaces. 5. Employed relocation which was one of the post management methods was an option in the criterion I in Korea and in the criterion V in Japan. The number of NIHL by the criterion I was 6.7times greater than that by the criterion V. Thus, although employee relocation was not used exclusively, many more workers with NIHL could have been relocated. In conclusion, this study revealed that the criteria being used for managing occupational hearing loss showed a lack uniformity among them. In addition, since these criteria are all relied on the total threshold shifts caused by the noise exposure at the time of hearing test with no consideration given to the past noise exposure history nor age, it can be said that they are not an effective tool for occupational hearing loss management. Since legal requirements are usually followed after being diagnosed as having NIHL, it is recommended that a uniform diagnostic criterion should be used to minimize confusion. Pre-employment hearing tests should also be utilized so as to managing occupational hearing loss after employment rather than being used as a legal roadblock of prohibiting workers with mild hearing loss from being employed. Thus, what is needed is an establishment of a rational criterion for occupational hearing loss management rather than for legal requirements.

• 한국학교ㆍ지역보건교육학회지
• /
• 제14권2호
• /
• pp.93-112
• /
• 2013

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the incidence rate of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in Korean youths using the National Health Insurance Data Methods: We obtained the case of NIHL with the National Health Insurance Data and calculated the incidence rate of NIHL after classifying them by year (from 2005 through 2008), age, gender, birth cohort. Results: The age-adjusted incidence rate by year of NIHL per 100,000 population increased by 40.6% from 13.8 persons in 2005 to 19.4 persons in 2008, which showed a increasing trend every year. In particular, the incidence rate per 100,000 population among the adolescents (15-19 years of age) shot up by 78.2% from 8.7 persons in 2005 to 15.5 persons in 2008. According to the incidence rate by birth cohort of NIHL, the birth cohorts showed the gradually increase in incidence rate as time passed by. Adolescents in early 20s (20-24 years of age) had a higher incidence rate than teenage and men had a higher incidence rate than women. Conclusions: The results suggest that incidence rate of NIHL in Korean youths has rapidly increased among adolescents. Therefore, it is required to educate adolescents about the risk of hearing loss due to noise, establish program to prevent NIHL among adolescents and provide them with health education on hearing loss prevention.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제28권3호
• /
• pp.651-662
• /
• 1995

In Korea there is no specific method of age adjustment in noise induced hearing loss(NIHL). We attempted the age adjustment to understand the effects of age on the diagnosis of NIHL. We used the International Standard Organization 1999 as an age adjustment method. We used the 1, 617 otologically normal person's hearing data from a health examination center, and 206 workers diagnosed as NIHL. We concluded as follows; 1. The ISO 7029 function used for age specific hearing loss is not suited to Korean people. 2. The mean of age specific hearing loss is 11.0 6.2dB and the older of age, the more decrease on hearing loss, especially in 4000Hz. 3. The difference of NIHL between before age adjustment and after age adjustment in the 3rd decade is 5.4dB, in the 4th decade is 6.7dB, in the 5th decade is 8.5dB, in the 6th decade is 10.4dB, and in the 7th decade is 12.9dB. The older, the more is the difference. 4. After age adjustment, the number of workers diagnosed as NIHL decreases to 60% of unadjusted.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제2권4호
• /
• pp.336-347
• /
• 2011

Objectives: In Korea, an average of 258 workers claim compensation for their noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) on an annual basis. Indeed, hearing disorder ranks first in the number of diagnoses made by occupational medical check-ups. Against this backdrop, this study analyzed the impact of 19 types of noise-generating machines and equipment on the sound pressure levels in workplaces and NIHL occurrence based on a 2009 national survey on work environments. Methods: Through this analysis, a series of statistical models were built to determine posterior probabilities for each worksite with an aim to present risk ratings for noise levels at work. Results: It was found that air compressors and grinding machines came in first and second, respectively in the number of installed noise-generating machines and equipment. However, there was no direct relationship between workplace noise and NIHL among workers since noise-control equipment and protective gear had been in place. By building a logistic regression model and neural network, statistical models were set to identify the influence of the noise-generating machines and equipment on workplace noise levels and NIHL occurrence. Conclusion: This study offered NIHL prevention measures which are fit for the worksites in each risk grade.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제34권4호
• /
• pp.336-341
• /
• 2010

One mechanism of inner ear damage by noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Because Korean red ginseng (KRG) has an anti-ROS effect in various tissues, KRG may have a role in preventing NIHL. A window period exists in which ROS formations continue after noise exposure, and further damage can be prevented by antioxidants. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of KRG after exposure to noise. KRG (200 mg/kg) was fed to mice for 3 days after noise exposure. The change in hearing level was analyzed by measuring the auditory brainstem response. To induce a temporary threshold shift (TTS) of hearing, mice were exposed to 110 dB white noise for 3 hours. Fast recovery of hearing was observed in mice fed KRG 1 hour and 1 day after noise exposure for 3 days. The expression of 8-oxoguanine was not observed in the inner ears of mice fed KRG 1 hour after noise exposure, but was evident in the stria vascularis of mice in the control group (noise exposure only). From this study, we conclude that KRG acted as an effective inhibitor of NIHL in TTS cases.

• 한국보건간호학회지
• /
• 제27권2호
• /
• pp.357-371
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of health education based on the health belief model (HBM) to the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in middle school students. Methods: A pretest-posttest nonequivalent control group was designed for the purpose of this study. A total of 212 students (134 in the experimental group and 78 in the control group) of two middle schools in Seoul were enrolled for the study. Health education of two 45-minutes sessions over two weeks were provided. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, t-test, ANCOVA and repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc test, using the SPSS version 21.0. Results: There were significant differences between experimental group and control group with reference to perceived susceptibility (F=7.862, p=.006), perceived severity (F=8.291, p=.004), perceived benefits (F=20.311, p<.001), and perceived barriers (F=5.628, p=.019) after health education were provided. We also observed sustained health education effects of perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers in the experimental group for up to 4 weeks after health education were provided. Conclusion: The health education to prevent NIHL based on the HBM improved the health beliefs of the middle school students. Health education on the HBM for the prevention of NIHL should be provided at the level of middle school.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제26권3호
• /
• pp.371-386
• /
• 1993

This study was carried out to evaluate diagnostic criteria of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among-workers in an iron foundry. Of 1,093 workers under the observation of noise-specific health examination, 184 workers were selected by way of first and second screening audiometric examination. A questionnaire survey, otological examinations, Rinne test and audiometric test were performed and the results were as follows ; The degree of hearing impairment in the left ear was more severe than in the right ear (p<0.05). The difference between hearing threshold of the first and the second hearing test at 1,000 Hz was about 5 dB with a narrow range of deviations while the difference at 4,000 Hz was about -7 dB with a wide range. Of the total study workers, 84.8% were tested within 15 hours away from noise exposure, and the rest after 16 hours. This study has identified that mean hearing loss at 4,000 Hz showed a significant statistical difference among the two study groups while mean hearing loss by 4-divided classification did not. The same phenomena were observed between the group with and without tinnitus and between the group with and without difficulty in hearing (p<0.05). Among 184 workers, 10 workers (5.4%) diagnosed as NIHL by old diagnostic criteria in contrast to 150 workers diagnosed as NIHL by the new diagnostic criteria. There was a significant difference between the two groups in the average hearing loss at 4,000 Hz and 4-divided classification (p<0.01), but there were no significant differences in age, the duration of employment, blood pressure and the duration wearing the personal hearing protector (p>0.05). If we apply Early Loss Index (ELI) method, some workers in younger age group diagnosed as NIHL by the new diagnostic criteria were fallen into within the normal range. In the mean time older age group show reverse results in contrast to the above finding. It is too early to confirm the value of the usage of the new diagnostic criteria in hearing examination. Further study is called for to verify the value of this criteria.

• 한국음향학회지
• /
• 제34권4호
• /
• pp.274-281
• /
• 2015

소음성난청은 고려 시 되어야 하는 공중보건 문제로 알려져 있지만, 큰 소음의 노출로 인해 난청이 발생됨을 많은 사람들은 잘 인식하지 못하고 있다. 본 연구의 목적은 일반인들이 얼마나 중요하고 심각하게 소음성난청에 대하여 인식하고 있는지 22개의 설문 문항을 바탕으로 조사하고 그 결과를 분석하였다. 20대부터 60대의 성인 남녀 150명을 대상으로 청력손실과 이명을 포함하여 일반적인 건강 문제들에 대한 사회 및 개인적 중요도, 소음노출과 청력손실에 대한 인지 정도, 청력 보존 방법에 대한 인식을 문답하였다. 연구 결과, 다른 건강 문제들과 비교하여 응답자 중 약 17.33 %만이 청력손실을 '매우 큰 문제'로 인식하였다. 놀랍게도 다수의 응답자인 82 %는 청력손실에 관한 정보를 듣거나 보지 못하였다고 답변하였다. 전체 응답자 중 약 85 %의 응답자들은 큰 소음이 있는 환경에서 청력 문제 및 이명을 경험한 적이 있다고 답하였지만, 그 중 11.33 %만이 이어플러그를 착용해 본적이 있다고 응답하였다. 그러나 많은 응답자들은 추후 의료진이 권장하거나(80 %), 소음으로 인한 영구적 청력손실이 발생할 수 있다는 정보를 접한다면(78.67 %) 청력보호를 위해 소음 노출 시 이어플러그를 착용하겠다고 응답하였다. 소음으로 인한 영구적 청력 손실의 잠재성과 효율적인 청력 보호 방법에 대한 체계적인 교육으로 일반인들의 소음성난청을 예방하여야 하겠다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제32권1호
• /
• pp.30-39
• /
• 1999

이 연구는 특수건강진단기관의 소음성 난청 진단결과의 유소견자$(D_1)$와 요관찰자(C)를 하나의 평가 지표로 설정하여, 첫째 소음 특수건강진단 결과 소음성 난청의 실태 파악, 둘째 소음성 난청 요관찰 자의 청력장애 평가, 셋째 정력장애 정도 에 따른 각 주파수 영역별 기도순음청력 검사 결과를 통해 청력손실의 정도를 파악하고 이의 판정기준에 따른 진단의 적정성을 검토하고자 하였다. 1. 1994년 l월부터 12월까지의 73개 특수건강진단기관의 특수건강진단 실시 사업장은 27,347개이며 이중 소음 특수 건강진단 설시 사업장은 16,388개(59.9%)이었으며, 전체 특수건강진단 수진 근로자는 731,029명이며 이중 소음 특수 건강진단 수진 근로자는 343,457명 (47.0%)이었다. 소음성 난청 요관찰자는 38,058명, 소음성 난청 유소견자는 1,358 명으로 소음성 난청 요관찰률은 11.1%, 유소견율은 0.44%이었다. 지역에 따라 소음성 난청 요관찰률의 차이를 보여주며 판정기준의 적용에 따른 기도순음 청력평균손실치가 일부 적정하게 판단되지 못하였음을 보여 주었다. 2. ISO 기준의 3분법에 의한 청력 평가시 97%가 경도난청 이하였으며, 회화음 역에서의 4분법에 비해 거의 비슷하였으나 약간 정상역이 많았고, 고음역을 포함하여 평가하는 4분법과 6분법의 적용시 정상자의 경도난청으로의 가능성이 높다고 볼 수 있어 청력평가시 평가방법의 적용에 따라 내재적인 판별능의 차이를 보여준다고 볼 수 있다. 3. 우측귀의 청력역치를 ISO 기준에 의해 평가한 후 양귀의 청력역치의 분포 및 차이를 보면, 우측귀의 평균역치(표준편차)가 20.54(9.56) dB, 좌측귀의 평균역치가 20.54(9.57) dB로 좌측귀의 평균역치가 우측보다 높았다. 양귀의 청력이 75.4%에서 정상역이었으며, 21,562명 (90.6%)의 양귀 청력역치 차이의 범위가 10dB이내였다. 4. 소음성 난청 요관찰자의 회화음역에 속하는 500, 1,000 및 2,000 Hz에서의 기도청력역치를 산술평균으로 하여 구하는 3분법의 청력손실도(표준편차)를 주파수 별로 보면, 우측귀에서 500 Hz 21.08(10.23), 1,000 Hz 18.44(10.01), 2,000 Hz 22.09(13.46), 4,000 Hz 52.36(16.38) dB이었다. 평균청력손실도를 10 dB 간격으로 구분한 후 각각의 주파수별 청력역치를 살펴보면, 정상역인 20 dB미만에서 고음역인 4,000 Hz에서 회화음역인 500, 1,000 및 2,000 Hz에서 보다 평균 30-40 dB 이상의 역치를 보이는 $C_5-dip$ 현상을 특징적으로 보였다. 평균정력손질이 증가함에 따라 4,000 Hz에서의 역치 증가 현상이 점차적으로 감소하다 평균청력손실이 50 dB 이상에서는 10dB 내외의 차이만을 나타내었다. 이상과 같이 소음성 난청 요관찰자에 대한 분석에서 소음성 난청의 평가방법 에 따른 실태와 의미, 소음에 의한 조기청력손실의 특정과 소음성 난청의 판정기준에 따른 진단의 적정성을 확인할 수 있었으며, 소음성 난청 요관찰자에 대한 관리의 필요성을 제언할 수 있겠다.