• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.30 no.1 s.56
• /
• pp.61-67
• /
• 1997

This study was performed to evaluate the effects on hearing of video tape manufacturing workers exposed to organic solvents. The experimental groups included solvents exposed group 51 and unexposed group 57 workers. All workers was examined air and bone conduction sensitivity by pure tone audiometer. The mean age of solvents exposed group was 34.1 and nonexposed group was 35.8. The mean duration of solvents exposed group was 7.3years. High frequency hearing loss prevalence of both groups was 23.5% in the group exposed to organic solvents and 17.5% in nonexposed group. There is no statistical significants in the prevalence of high frequency hearing loss. According to comparison of mean auditory threshold value by frequencies, on the air conduction test, right was statistically significant in the 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000Hz, except 8000Hz. Left 250, 500, 1000Hz was statistically significant. On the bone conduction test, left 250, both 500, 1000, 2000, 4000Hz, except right 250Hz, was statistically significant difference. Generally, auditory sensitivity threshold of the exposed group was higher than the nonexposed group.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.239-251
• /
• 2023

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of noise-filtering earplugs on the hearing ability of dentists wearing them during noise-induced dental procedures. Pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) tests were conducted at the initial visit and 1 year later to evaluate the hearing ability of the participants. As a result of the study, the pure tone average of the group wearing earplugs decreased significantly compared to the group not wearing earplugs, indicating an improvement in hearing. However, the signal-to-noise ratio of the DPOAE tests did not show a significant difference. These findings suggest that noise-filtering earplugs may have some effectiveness in preventing hearing loss. However, since the 1-year observation period may not be adequate to identify changes in hearing, a follow-up study with an extended follow-up period is necessary.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.55 no.1
• /
• pp.52-64
• /
• 2023

This study aimed to examine the types and characteristics of otorhinolaryngology examinations performed by clinical laboratory technologists and to investigate the working environment and scope of work of otorhinolaryngology laboratory personnel using online questionnaires. Based on the research results, constructive policy measures for the University-Association-Society were also presented. Most of the survey respondents were in their 40s (34.1%). Females accounted for 80.2% of respondents and 30.8% of them had a career spanning 15 years or more. We found that laboratory personnel had a wide scope of work, high work stress and frequently suffered occupational diseases. We observed that, to reduce stress and increase satisfaction, an expansion of the workforce was necessary. Compared to other occupations, 72% of clinical laboratory technologists occupied more senior positions, occupational distribution depended on senior positions (P<0.001). Clinical laboratory technologists performed about 26 types of otorhinolaryngology examinations. The most frequent test performed daily was pure tone audiometry, and polysomnography took the longest test time, with an average of 8 hours. In conclusion, clinical laboratory technologists were in charge of various specialized otorhinolaryngology examinations. Considering the importance of clinical laboratory technologists in otorhinolaryngology, the University-Association-Society should put in additional effort into nurturing otorhinolaryngology examination experts.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.41-49
• /
• 2023

Objectives: To obtain audiologic basic data to diagnose the noise induced hearing loss of workers in fisheries. Methods: The charts of the referred fishermen with noise induced hearing loss from November 2022 to February 2023 at a general hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, auditory brainstem response test and auditory steady state response test were conducted. Results: All of them were men over 60 years of age, and the average duration of exposure to noise was 38.9 ± 10.8 years, and the average symptom duration of hearing loss was 13.4 ± 4.3 years. Although the hearing thresholds in the high frequencies were higher than thresholds in the low frequencies, the audiogram showed a down-sloping pattern without rebound at 8 kHz. 10.5% of the cases had thresholds greater than 75 dB in high frequencies, but 57.9% had thresholds greater than 40 dB in low frequencies. Other hearing test results of fishermen were similar to those of general noise-induced hearing loss. Conclusions: Although the fishermen were exposed to noise for a long time, they recognized hearing loss late. The hearing threshold in lower frequencies of the fishermen was higher than expected. Further studies will be needed to analyze the audiologic characteristics of noise-induced hearing loss of the fishermen after confirming noise exposure by conducting a survey on the working environment, such as the noise level and working hours.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.525-534
• /
• 2019

Background In microtia patients with bilateral hearing impairment, hearing improvement is crucial for language development and performance. External auditory canal reconstruction (EACR) has been performed to improve hearing, but often results in complications. We performed transcutaneous bone conduction implant (TBCI) surgery in these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TBCI surgery. Methods A retrospective review was performed of five patients who underwent auricular reconstruction and TBCI surgery and 12 patients who underwent EACR between March 2007 and August 2018. Hearing improvement was measured based on the air-bone gap values using pure-tone audiometry over a 6-week postoperative period. We reviewed other studies on hearing improvement using EACR and compared the findings with our results. The surgical techniques for TBCI were reviewed through case analyses. Results Postoperative hearing outcomes showed a significant improvement, with a mean gain of 34.1 dB in the TBCI cohort and 14.1 dB in the EACR cohort. Both gains were statistically significant; however, the TBCI cohort showed much larger gains. Only three of the 12 patients who underwent EACR achieved hearing gains of more than 20 dB, which is consistent with previous studies. All patients who underwent TBCI surgery demonstrated hearing gains of more than 20 dB and experienced no device-related complications. Conclusions TBCI is a safe and effective method of promoting hearing gains in microtia patients with bilateral hearing impairment. TBCI surgery provided better hearing outcomes than EACR and could be performed along with various auricular reconstruction techniques using virgin mastoid skin.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.87-100
• /
• 2001

Otitis media with effusion(OME) is the second most common disease in childhood after upper respiratory tract infection. Antibiotic treatment and ventilation tube insertion are the common treatment. The emergence of drug-resistant streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP) has implications for the primary care provider who treats acute otitis media(AOM) in children. OME need not be treated with antibiotics unless the effusion has been present for 3 to 4 months. Tympanostomy tubes are an effective treatment for both chronic OME and recurrent AOM. But the complications of tympanostomy tubes are serious Kamihyunggyeyungyotang is known to have antiinflmmatory and antiallergic effect. In this study, we investigated the clinical efficacy of the Kamihyunggyeyungyotang on recurrent otitis media with effusion prospectively by using pneumatoscopy, tympanogram, pure tone audiometry, and radiologic study. The patients who had treated by antibiotics was used as control. The statistical analysis was done by Mann-Whitney test and the significance was considered when the p value was less than 0.05. The general outcome was significantly higher in Kamihyunggyeyungyotang group than in antibiotic group. The recovery rate from grade 3 to 0 in pneumatoscopy was 42.5% but the control was 6%. Hearing gain was improved 71% and pnuematization was returned 70%.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.193-200
• /
• 2013

This study describes a case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL) accompanied with adjunctive symptoms including tinnitus and aural fullness. In this case, we evaluated the effect of Korean medicine treatment for SSNHL accompanied with adjunctive symptoms including tinnitus and aural fullness. We treated 1 SSNHL patient who had adjunctive symptoms of tinnitus and aural fullness. After Korean medical treatment for 9 days, two approaches were used in order to evaluate the effect of the treatment. The hearing recovery was measured with pure tone audiometry, and the decrease of tinnitus and aural fullness was identified by patient's subjective expression. After Korean medical treatments, clinical symptoms of SSNHL accompanied with adjunctive symptoms including tinnitus and aural fullness were considered improved. This study shows that the Korean medical treatment effects on the SSNHL accompanied with adjunctive symptoms including tinnitus and aural fullness.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.84-87
• /
• 2011

Branchio-otic syndrome(BOS) is a relatively uncommon genetic malformation associated with dysmorphogenesis of the first and second branchial arches and is characterized by branchial fistulae, congenital preauricular fistulae, and anomalies of the pinnae, external, middle, and inner ears, accompanied by hearing loss. Recently, we experienced a case of BOS in a 10 years old female patient and report this case with a review of literature. 10-year-old girl presented with hearing impairment, bilateral preauricular fistula and cervical fistula. The pure tone audiometry revealed that she had 60dB sensorineural hearing loss on right side and 90dB mixed hearing loss on left. Bilateral branchial fistula was found on the neck CT scan and bilateral ossicular and cochlear abnormality combined with enlarged internal auditory canal was noted on the temporal bone CT scan. To investigate the association with EYA1 gene, we performed DNA sequncing with peripheral white blood cell and found the point mutations on Exon 7, 12 and 16 of EYA1 gene. The preauricular fistula and branchial fistula was excised surgically and hearing aid was applied on her left side. There was no sign of fistula recurrence for seven years after the surgery.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.24 no.1 s.33
• /
• pp.86-92
• /
• 1991

To test if exposure history to rifle fire or cannonade training during military duty can induce hearing loss, history of personal military service and histroy of gunshot exposure were asked to 228 male college students with self -administrative questionnaire. Otoscopic examination and Rinne's test were performed if any abnormal finding was detected by pure-tone audiometry. Average hearing threshold levels of 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, 2,000 Hz, 4,000 Hz and threshold levels at 4,000 Hz were calculated for 112 students who were remained after exclusion of cases with history of ear disease, of ototoxic drug administration, and of neuropsychiatric disease, and mean of those were compared between group of students who have completed military duty (completed group) and group of those who have not (not-completed group), and between group exposed (exposed group) and group unexposed to gunshot sound (unexposed group). Mean of average hearing threshold level and mean of threshold levels at 4,000 Hz of completed group and those of exposed group were higher than those of not-completed group and unexposed group, respectively. Proportion of cases that average threshold level was greater than 40 dB or threshold levels at 4,000 Hz was greater than 50 dB were higher also in completed group and exposed group than in duty not-completed group and unexposed group, respectively Multiple linear regression analysis including age, duration of military service, degree of gunshot sound exposure as independant variables and average hearing threshold level as dependant variable, was performed in order to estimate the effect of age on hearing, and any considerable effect of age on hearing could not be found. In conclusion, hearing impairment can be induced by rifle fire or cannonade training.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.146-155
• /
• 2003

This study was conducted for investigating the status of management of preemployment health examination and to have an effect on the worker's employment. Health managers of 103 companies in Incheon metropolitan city and Gyeonggi were interviewed by telephone. Of 103 companies, 67(65.1%) said they don't hire the applicants who have an active pulmonary tuberculosis, 80(77.7%) companies said they health HBV carrier is acceptable but active HBV carrier is not 29(28.2%) companies said they don't hire the applicants who have a hypertension or diabetes mellitus, 42(40.8%) companies said they don't hire the applicants who have a hearing disturbance. If HIVD is suspicious in X-ray lumbar-sacral region, 37(78.7% of 47 companies) said they do not hire the applicants. 29(35% of 83 companies) said they cancel the employment of the applicants who are suspicious of noise induced hearing loss on preplacement health examination. From our survey, preemployment health examination was utilizing mainly as a tool for the selection of health employees who don't have a disease. Furthermore, in many companies, additional test items are being included and getting more strict the selection criteria for preemployment health examination. For the right use of preemployment health examination, author suggested that further studies were needed to select the adequate test items and establish the reasonable criteria for preemployment health examination.