Status of Hearing Loss and Its Related Factors among Drivers in Zahedan, South-Eastern Iran

Statistical estimation of noise induced hearing loss among the drivers in one of the most polluted cities of India

In the present study, an attempt has been made to assess the impact of vehicular noise upon the 3-wheeler tempo drivers and to know whether there is any relationship between hearing loss and cumulative noise exposure. For this purpose, 3-wheeler tempo drivers (Exposed group) and non-commercial light motor vehicle car drivers (Unexposed group) were chosen as study subjects. Three traffic routes were selected to assess the noise level during waiting and running time in the exposed and unexposed groups. Among all three routes, the highest mean noise level (Leq) was observed on the Chowk to Dubagga route for waiting and en-route noise measurement. It was measured as 84.13 dB(A) and 86.36 dB(A) for waiting and en-route periods of 7.68 ± 3.46 and 31.05 ± 6.6 min, respectively. Cumulative noise exposure was found to be significantly different (p < 0.001) in all age groups of exposed and unexposed drivers. Audiometric tests have been performed over both exposed and unexposed groups. The regression analysis has been done keeping hearing loss among tempo drivers as the dependent variable and age (years) and Energy (Pa2 Hrs) as the independent variable using three different criteria of hearing loss definitions, i.e., World Health Organization, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Occupational Safety and Health Administration criteria. Among these three criteria, the NIOSH criterion of hearing loss best explained the independent variables. It could explain the total variation in dependent variable by independent variable quite well, i.e., 68.1%. The finding showed a linear relationship between cumulative noise exposures (Pa2 Hrs) and the exposed group's hearing loss (dB), i.e., hearing loss increases with increasing noise dose. Based on the findings, two model equations were developed to identify the safe and unsafe noise levels with exposure time.

Investigating the prevalence of hearing loss and its related factors in professional drivers in Shahroud city, Iran

Objectives. A cohort study was designed and implemented to determine the prevalence of hearing problems and their related factors in professional drivers in Shahroud city. Methods. In total, 1461 professional drivers were examined. Demographic information, work history, blood parameters, and anthropometric and audiometric test data were collected. Hearing thresholds were assessed at frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz. Results. In total, 64.8% and 54.9% of hearing impairment degrees were observed in the left and right ears, respectively, and this difference was statistically significant. The hearing threshold in the left ear was higher at all frequencies. The maximum hearing loss was at 6000 Hz, followed by 4000 Hz. There was a significant relationship between hearing loss with age groups for right and left ears and type of car for left ear. Conclusion. The prevalence and severity of hearing loss in Shahroud drivers are high, and most hearing loss is observed in the left ear. Given that noise-induced hearing loss is an incurable condition and has a significant impact on individuals' quality of life and employment, drivers should be regularly screened for ear damage under the variables affecting hearing loss, and noise prevention training should be provided.

Auditory effect of noise exposures among commercial and non-commercial light motor vehicle drivers: A comparative cross-sectional study in Lucknow city

Context:

Noise-induced hearing loss, one of the most common and preventable occupational hazard, occurs due to repeated and continuous exposure of loud noise, A single exposure of an impulse of noise at the level of 130--140 dB or long and repeated exposures to loud sounds to an average level of 85 dB or higher for an 8-h period can cause permanent loss of hearing.

Aims:

To study and compare hearing loss over different audiometric frequencies among autorickshaw and non-commercial institutional personal car drivers.

Settings and Design:

This was a cross-sectional comparative study conducted at a tertiary medical college, located in Lucknow during October 2017–November 2018.

Methods and Materials:

The sample size was calculated using EpiInfo7. We took a sample size of 300 drivers, out of which 150 three-wheeler autorickshaw drivers (Tempo), that is, group I and 150 non-commercial car drivers, that is, group II were selected.

Statistical Analysis Used:

For statistical analysis, “Chi-square test of independence” and student's t-tests were used.

Results:

The mean age at which drivers in group I and group II started work was 23.91 ± 7.63 years an d 23.60 ± 5.58 years, respectively. The mean hearing loss in Group I was 21.15 ± 8.65 dB and in group II it was 13.34 ± 5.79 dB.

Conclusions:

Autorickshaw drivers who were exposed to louder noise, that is, autorickshaw drivers in group I had more sensory neural hearing loss than the non-commercial car drivers, that is, group II.

Hearing risk in motorcycle taxi drivers of a Southern Brazilian city

ABSTRACT Objective: to characterize the hearing profile of motorcycle taxi drivers and analyze the risk of their exposure to noise. Methods: a cross-sectional study with 17 motorcycle taxi drivers of a city on the Southern coast of Brazil, in 2008. Noise was measured at workplace and during a standard route. The dose of exposure to noise was calculated, a questionnaire on the perception of auditory and extra-auditory effects was applied and an auditory hearing assessment through threshold tonal audiometry was performed. Results: at workplace, noise was around 73dBA (decibels, A scale), and while commuting, noise was above 100% for a 12-hour working day. Strain and stress/fatigue after work were reported by 58.8% of the subjects and 52.9% of them showed hearing losses, five presenting characteristic noise-induced hearing losses (NIHL). However, the motorcycle taxi drivers did not associate the adverse health effects to the continuous exposure to noise. Conclusion: the motorcycle taxi drivers presented hearing risk, 29% of them presenting hearing alterations with characteristics suggestive of noise-induced hearing loss, which makes the implementation of auditory conservation programs of extremely importance for this class of workers.