• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.376-383
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• 2006

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHS), the well-known occupational disease, is caused by continuous excessive noise. The prevention of NIHS is very important, because it is unrecoverable. There are some kinds of hearing protection device (HPD), and those are effective in preventing NIHS. But workers in noisy environment often resist to wearing them. Because they are ready - made products, so workers feel uncomfortable to wear. Also, they didn't maintain the conversation frequency range, so workers are hard to communicate in wearing them. To prevent hearing loss effectively, it is important that workers keep wearing HPD. Therefore, a HPD is needed to be comfortable to wear and be effective not only in hearing protection but also in preserving communication ability. So we proposed a custom - made hearing protection device in which a small acoustic filter is inserted. We designed several kinds of small acoustic filters and carried out some acoustic experiments for measuring characteristics of filters. We confirmed that acoustic transmission characteristic can be adjusted from experimental results using designed small acoustic filters. And we researched for the actual efficiency of a new developed custom - made hearing protection device using a small size acoustic filter. Also, we found out that workers are more satisfied with the new development than a former protection device from a workers' response.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.205-214
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• 1987

For the purpose of evaluating the effect of noise induced hearing loss on the blood pressure, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 481 manufacturing industrial workers in Pusan area consisted of 275 workers from noisier plant (over 90 dB(A), high exposed group) and 206 workers from less noisy plant (below 85 dB(A), low exposed group) from April to Decepmber in 1985. The summarized results were as follows; 1) The degree of hearing loss according to the audible frequency was most notable in 4,000 Hz. 2) The prevalence of hypertension was 14.8% in total examined subjects. And also in 40 dB(A) hearing lost workers, there was no significant difference between high exposed group as 15.5% and low exposed group as 15.8%. 3) In 3 models analyzed by multiple regression technique to obtain the complexed extents of risk factors related to the diastolic blood pressure, especially model III which contain age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol and family history of hypertension, duration of work, noise exposure level and degree of hearing loss in high exposed group was most remarkable compared to the others. 4) The most potential predictor related to the diastolic pressure in high exposed group was the degree of hearing loss. And the next were body mass index, familial history of hypertension and age in order. But in the case of low exposed group, the potential predictors were body mass index, age and familial history of hypertension.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.815-829
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• 1997

This study was performed to assist the employer to establish the effective program for hearing conservation of noisy industry. The study subjects were health care managers of an industry and the study industries were devided into two groups(Group I, 37 industries; have the workers diagnosed as noise-induced hearing loss, Group II, 41 industries; not have the workers diagnosed as noise-induced hearing loss) and the question method carried out through the face to face interview. The contents of questionnaire for OSHA's hearing conservation program(HCP) consisted of seven components: 5 questions of monitoring of employee noise exposures(component 1), 6 questions of the institution of engineering, work practice, and administrative controls for excessive noise(component 2), 8 questions of the provision of each overexposed employee with an individually fitted hearing protector with an adequate noise reduction rating(component 3), 14 questions of employee training and education regarding noise hazards and protection measures(component 4), 9 questions of baseline and annual audiometry(component 5), 3 questions of procedures for preventing further occupational hearning loss by an employee whenever such an event has been identified(component 6), and 1 question of recording keeping(component 7), thus total numbers of questions was 46. The numbers of statistially significant difference(p<0.05) between two groups were 2(25.0%) among 8 questions of component 3, 10(71.4%) among 14 questions of component 4, 3(33.3%) among 8 questions of component 5, 2(6.7%) among 3 questions of component 6, and 17(37.0%) among total 46 questions of questionnaire. Above results showed that the level of HCP acceptance in group I was lower than in group II. Thus employer's understanding about HCP should be precede for the effective hearing conservation program of employee and the adequate hearing protector, training and education, baseline and annual audiometry, and procedures for preventing further occupational hearning loss for hearing conservation would be more emphasized.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.337-354
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• 1989

In order to evaluate the noisy environment and hearing loss of workers served in noisy working environment, the author investigated 212 manufacturing industries located in Ulsan Industrial District that could be observed for 3 successive years from 1986 to 1988. The obtained results were as follows: 1. There was increased tendency in the number of workers served in noisy working environment and that of examined of hearing loss for three years. 2. In the noise level of working environment, the number of industries less than 89dB(A) was increased every year, while more than 90dB(A) was in decreasing tendency. 3. Mean hearing loss by frequency was the most prominent in 4,000Hz, the level of hearing loss was in increasing tendency yearly, and that of left eat was higher than right ear in almost all type of industry. 4. In 1986, the level of hearing loss by type of industry was highest in manufacture of electric and electronic, and followed by paper and plywood, and metal products in right ear: that was in the order of manufacture of electric and electronic, metal products and textile products in left ear. In 1987, that was in the order of manufacture of metal products, machinery and others in right ear, and metal products, machinery and food stuff in left ear in 1988, manufacture of others, food stuff and machinery in both ear. 5. In hearing loss by service duration, right ear of 5-9 years group was higher than that of less than 5 years in 1987, whereas in 1988, the longer in service duration, the higher in the level of hearing loss in both ear. 6. In 1986, 1987 and 1988, the prevalence rate of noise-induced hearing loss were showed increasing tendency as 0.4% ,0.8% and 1.5% , respectively, and manufacture of textile products was highest(1.0%) in 1986, machinery(1.2%) in 1987 and others(2.8%) in 1988. 7. The proportion of grade E in early loss index were 76.1% (1986), 78.2% (1987) and 80.5% (1988) in left ear, 75.9% (1986), 76.4% (1987) and 75.9% (1988) in right ear.

• 한국치위생학회지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.11-17
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between noise awareness, hearing ability, and dental hygiene performance in dental hygienists. Methods: The subjects were 234 dental hygienists in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, and Incheon. The questionnaire consisted of 3 questions of general characteristics of the subjects, 1 question of noise awareness, 3 questions of hearing ability, 5 questions of dental hygiene performance, 1 question of noise reduction necessity, and 2 questions of noise control. Noise awareness, dental hygiene performance, and noise reduction necessity were measured by Likert 5 scale. Cronbach's alpha was 0.825 in dental hygiene performance reliability. Results: There was a significant difference in noise recognition by age(p<0.01) and working career(p<0.05). Those who pumped up the higher TV volume accounted for 31.6% and 3.0% had hearing impairment in the regular health checkup. 3.4% of the respondents complained of hearing loss, ear fluid, and equilibrium problem diagnosed by the doctors. The relationship between the type of workplace environment and task performance showed a significant difference. Those who work in the dental hospitals had high score of 3.43, while those who work in dental clinics had 3.20(p<0.05). The increased level of noise recognition affected the task performance and it is necessary to reduce the noise level. More try must be focused on the noise exposure prevention. Conclusions: In order to reduce the problems due to noise and improve their quality of life, it is necessary to change the noise recognition in the work place.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.177-183
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• 1974

It is generally recognized that the environmental noise of the various working places thought to be the cause of hearing disturbance. This survey was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of noise-induced occupational bearing loss among the weavers of 39 textile industries in Taegu, Korea. For this survey, 432 male workers and 2,023 female workers were examined their hearing acuity by Individual pure tone threshold determination test(air conduction), from November, 1972, to January, 1973. Main findings were as follows : 1. The mean of noise intensity of the 54 weaving rooms was, in over all, $95.6{\pm}4.2dB\;(A),\;95.9{\pm}4.0dB\;(B)\;and\;96.2{\pm}3.9dB\;(C)$. 2. The mean hearing threshold levels by service years in the 4,000 Hz were intensively increased from 1st to 3rd year and slightly decreased. than that of 3rd year, from after 3rd to 5th year, after 5th year that increased slightly. 3. The mean hearing threshold levels by frequencies were highest in the 4,000 Hz(male: $25.0{\pm}11.3dB$, female: $22.0{\pm}10.2dB$) and followed by 6,000, 8,000 and 3,000 Hz. 4. The mean hearing threshold level of the 6,000 Hz (male: 17.0 dB. female: 17.9dB) was higher than that of 4,000Hz (male: 16.4 dB, female: 17.1dB) in tile 1st service year. 5. The mean hearing loss of examinees was $16.2{\pm}8.0dB$ in male and $15.4{\pm}7.8dB$ in female.

• 한국음향학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국음향학회 1994년도 FIFTH WESTERN PACIFIC REGIONAL ACOUSTICS CONFERENCE SEOUL KOREA
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• pp.1064-1069
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• 1994

In order to realize the function of human interface of telecommunications whose objective is to interchange useful information among persons, we developed a bone conduction telephone with which hearing impaired persons with conductive or noise-induced hearing loss and presbycusis can communicate with each other without any other additional devices such as hearing aids. The bone conduction telephone we developed has chatacteristics as follows : (i) a hearing impaired person and a normal hearing person can communicate by bone and air conduction hearings, respectively, using only this telephone set because, as its receiver, it uses a bone conduction vibrator with which we can realize such function with the voice coil and damper of a small speaker unit, the vibrating plate, etc., (ii) it has tone control function compensating hearing losses of hearing impaired persons according to their hearing loss/frequency chatacteristics. Using the tone control function together with a received volume control, it has the received volume range of 20dB in loudness rating; and (iii) it has the function of three emergency calls and a bell lamp as the visual display of a received call.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제14권6호
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• pp.913-919
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• 2004

본 연구는 소음성 감각신경성난청 환자의 유전적 관련요인을 파악하고자 관련성이 의심되는 mitochondrial DNA의 돌연변이와 소음성 감각신경성난청과의 관련성을 조사하였다. 말초혈액 백혈구로부터 DNA를 추출한 후, mtDNA 3243, 1555, 7445부위의 $A{\rightarrow}G$ 돌연변이 유무를 관찰하기 위하여 mtDNA 3243, 1555, 7445부위 가 포함된 mtDNA fragment를 중합효소 연쇄반응으로 증폭하고 유전자 제한효소로 소화하여 전기영동하고 ethidium bromide 용액으로 염색하여 UV transilluminator에서 관찰하였다. 그리고, PCR 산물을 이용하여 DNA 염기서열을 분석하여 mtDNA 3243, 1555, 7445부 위에서의 염기서열 분석을 실시하여 mtDNA 3243, 1555, 7445부위 의 $A{\rightarrow}G$ 돌연변이를 관찰하였다 MtDNA A3243G, A1555G, A7445G의 돌연변이를 관찰한 결과 돌연변이 부위가 포함된 fragment가 소음성 감각신경성난청 환자군, 감각신경성난청 환자군, 대조군 모두에서 증폭됨을 관찰하였다. 또한 PCR 산물을 제한효소로 처 리 한 결과에서도 mtDNA에서 3243, 1555, 7445부위의 $A{\rightarrow}G$ 돌연변이가 일어나지 않았음을 알 수 있었다. PCR산물을 이용하여 DNA 염기서열을 분석하여 mtDNA 3243, 1555, 7445부위에서의 염기서열을 확인한 결과 이미 밝혀진 사람의 mtDNA 3243, 1555, 7445부 위의 염기서열과 동일한 염기서열임이 확인되었으므로 mtDNA 3243, 1555, 7445부위의 $A{\rightarrow}G$ 돌연변이가 일어나지 않았음을 확인하였다. 소음성 감각신경성난청과 mtDNA 3243, 1555, 7445부위의 $A{\rightarrow}G$ 돌연변이와는 관련이 없는 것으로 관찰되었다.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제2권4호
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• pp.348-354
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• 2011

Objectives: This cross-sectional study was performed in the Dental School of Prince of Songkla University to ascertain noise exposure of dentists, dental assistants, and laboratory technicians. A noise spectral analysis was taken to illustrate the spectra of dental devices. Methods: A noise evaluation was performed to measure the noise level at dental clinics and one dental laboratory from May to December 2010. Noise spectral data of dental devices were taken during dental practices at the dental services clinic and at the dental laboratory. A noise dosimeter was set following the Occupational Safety and Health Administration criteria and then attached to the subjects' collar to record personal noise dose exposure during working periods. Results: The peaks of the noise spectrum of dental instruments were at 1,000, 4,000, and 8,000 Hz which depended on the type of instrument. The differences in working areas and job positions had an influence on the level of noise exposure (p < 0.01). Noise measurement in the personal hearing zone found that the laboratory technicians were exposed to the highest impulsive noise levels (137.1 dBC). The dentists and dental assistants who worked at a pedodontic clinic had the highest percent noise dose (4.60 ${\pm}$ 3.59%). In the working areas, the 8-hour time-weighted average of noise levels ranged between 49.7-58.1 dBA while the noisiest working area was the dental laboratory. Conclusion: Dental personnel are exposed to noise intensities lower than occupational exposure limits. Therefore, these dental personnel may not experience a noise-induced hearing loss.

• 환경위생공학
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.123-134
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• 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.