Occupational Noise-Induced Tinnitus: Does It Affect Workers' Quality of Life?
Yükleniyor...
Tarih
2008
Yazarlar
Dergi Başlığı
Dergi ISSN
Cilt Başlığı
Yayıncı
Bmc
Erişim Hakkı
info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
Özet
Objectives: This prospective study aimed to investigate the quality of life of workers in a steel factory. Methods: The study group was composed of 16 male workers with tinnitus and 30 ears. Fifteen male workers without tinnitus and 30 ears were included into the control group. Workers were evaluated by questionnaire, pure-tone audiometry, and the SF-36 Health Survey. In the study group, tinnitus loudness levels (TLLs) were found. Results: In the study group, the domains general mental health and role limitations owing to emotional problems were significantly lower than in the control group. Older age, industrial noise exposure over a long period, higher noise exposure during work, and hearing loss secondary to occupational noise caused workers to experience higher TLLs. Earheadings protected workers more than earplugs, and TLLs were lower. Important factors that affect workers' quality of life are maximum exposed noise levels, daily and total noise exposure time, and exposure to continuous noise. Occupational noise-induced tinnitus mainly causes emotional disability rather than physical disability. Emotionally impaired QOL results may be due to tinnitus-related psychological problems. Conclusion: Workers should have knowledge about the hazardous effects of noise. Periodic health checkups and regular seminars have great importance. Workers must be aware of other ototoxic factors, such as medications and noisy music. In the future, researchers should develop a screening method to detect those with a more hereditary affinity to hearing loss.
Açıklama
Anahtar Kelimeler
maximum exposed noise, mean noise per hour, occupational noise-induced tinnitus, quality of life, SF-36 Health Survey, tinnitus loudness levels, total noise exposure time
Kaynak
Journal Of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
WoS Q Değeri
Q4
Scopus Q Değeri
Q1
Cilt
37
Sayı
1
Künye
closedAccess
