The protective effect of a conductive hearing loss in workers exposed to industrial noise.
There is controversy as to whether a conductive hearing loss protects the inner ear from the effects of loud noise. A retrospective study was carried out on 24 patients with a combination of unilateral conductive hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss. This allowed subjects to act as their own controls. There was no statistical difference in thresholds between the two ears; possible explanations for this finding are discussed.
Simpson
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DC
Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
O'Reilly
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BF
D000368:Aged; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies