Influence of age and sex on hearing threshold levels in workers exposed to different intensity levels of occupational noise.
The influence of age, sex and duration of exposure on hearing threshold level (HTL) was assessed in male and female workers exposed to occupational noise. The noise intensities were of 83 and 98 dB (A) continuous equivalent level. Large differences were noted between males and females exposed to 98 dB (A) as well as between males exposed to 98 and 83 dB (A). We concluded that exposure to 98 dB (A) accelerates the evolution of hearing loss, this trend being more pronounced in males. The 83-dB (A) intensity apparently induces a hearing loss above the values due to socioacusis. To evaluate the noxious effect of noise, the HTLs obtained in the group exposed to 98 and 83-dB (A) were compared to those of the non-exposed group of Royster and Thomas. The highest difference was found in males exposed to 98 dB (A).
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D005260:Female; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012737:Sex Factors