Feder K, Marro L, Portnuff C. Leisure noise exposure and hearing outcomes among Canadians aged 6 to 79 years.
Int J Audiol 2023;
62:1031-1047. [PMID:
36036440 DOI:
10.1080/14992027.2022.2114022]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between individual and cumulative leisure noise exposure in addition to acceptable yearly exposure (AYE) and hearing outcomes among a nationally representative sample of Canadians.
DESIGN
Audiometry, distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and in-person questionnaires were used to evaluate hearing and leisure noise exposure across age, sex, and household income/education level. High-risk cumulative leisure noise exposure was defined as 85 dBA or greater for 40 h or more per week, with AYE calculations also based on this occupational limit.
STUDY SAMPLE
A randomised sample of 10,460 respondents, aged 6-79, completed questionnaires and hearing evaluations between 2012 and 2015.
RESULTS
Among 50-79 year olds, high-risk cumulative leisure noise was associated with increased odds of a notch while high exposure to farming/construction equipment noise was associated with hearing loss, notches and absent DPOAEs. No associations with hearing loss were found however, non-significant tendencies observed included higher mean hearing thresholds, notches and hearing loss odds.
CONCLUSION
Educational outreach and monitoring of hearing among young and middle-aged populations exposed to hazardous leisure noise would be beneficial.
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