Audiological assessment in occupational hearing conservation programs is typically based on pure-tone audiometry. However, some workers may report hearing difficulties, particularly in speech perception in challenging listening conditions, before any relevant evidence in pure-tone thresholds. Timely identification of earlier dysfunctions in workers exposed to noise would be of high value to implement effective hearing conservation programs. The aim of this study was to implement a novel, integrated program of hearing assessment in noise-exposed workers. The protocol combined conventional measures (e.g., otoscopy, pure-tone testing, and questionnaires) with two additional quick and easy-to-use measures: the SUN (Speech Understanding in Noise) test [1-3], and Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs). The program started in June 2012 and entails longitudinal monitoring with regular visits at one year intervals. This presentation will report preliminary results of the overall program. A group of 58 male subjects working in a high-noise manufacturing department were tested with otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry, the SUN test, and TEOAEs. Noise exposure history in the current and previous jobs was assessed, and noise levels in the factory were measured with a sound meter. The integrated protocol here implemented allowed comprehensive assessment of auditory function. With a limited increase in the time needed to complete assessment, the inclusion of the SUN test and TEOAE measurements in the protocol proved to be of high value to complement information provided by conventional audiological measures, whereby information about hearing sensitivity is supplemented by information on speech perception in noise and objective information on cochlear functionality. [This work was partially supported by the Project of the It. Min. of Health "Objective diagnosis of the hearing functionality and of the hearing loss susceptibility in workers exposed to noise and/or ototoxic agents" (contract n. RF-2009-1470310).]
Using the SUN (Speech Understanding in Noise) test in occupational hearing conservation: A pilot study in a group of noise-exposed workers
Alessia Paglialonga;Gabriella Tognola;Ferdinando Grandori
2013
Abstract
Audiological assessment in occupational hearing conservation programs is typically based on pure-tone audiometry. However, some workers may report hearing difficulties, particularly in speech perception in challenging listening conditions, before any relevant evidence in pure-tone thresholds. Timely identification of earlier dysfunctions in workers exposed to noise would be of high value to implement effective hearing conservation programs. The aim of this study was to implement a novel, integrated program of hearing assessment in noise-exposed workers. The protocol combined conventional measures (e.g., otoscopy, pure-tone testing, and questionnaires) with two additional quick and easy-to-use measures: the SUN (Speech Understanding in Noise) test [1-3], and Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs). The program started in June 2012 and entails longitudinal monitoring with regular visits at one year intervals. This presentation will report preliminary results of the overall program. A group of 58 male subjects working in a high-noise manufacturing department were tested with otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry, the SUN test, and TEOAEs. Noise exposure history in the current and previous jobs was assessed, and noise levels in the factory were measured with a sound meter. The integrated protocol here implemented allowed comprehensive assessment of auditory function. With a limited increase in the time needed to complete assessment, the inclusion of the SUN test and TEOAE measurements in the protocol proved to be of high value to complement information provided by conventional audiological measures, whereby information about hearing sensitivity is supplemented by information on speech perception in noise and objective information on cochlear functionality. [This work was partially supported by the Project of the It. Min. of Health "Objective diagnosis of the hearing functionality and of the hearing loss susceptibility in workers exposed to noise and/or ototoxic agents" (contract n. RF-2009-1470310).]I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
