Temporary threshold shift and otoacoustic emissions after industrial noise exposure.
The objective of the present study was to investigate whether employees in a noise-exposed environment developed changes in cochlear function as manifested by elevation of pure-tone threshold and/or reduction in transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) amplitude. Pure-tone air-conduction audiometry, otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and tympanometry were recorded in 13 healthy employees on three consecutive days both before and after 7 h of noise exposure. Employees exposed to an industrial noise level of 85-90 dBA developed significant pure-tone air-conduction threshold elevation at 4 and 6 kHz. A significant reduction of the TEOAE amplitude was found. There was no correlation between temporary threshold shift (TTS) and TEOAE reduction.
Kvaerner
K J
KJ
Department of Otohinolaryngology, Ullevål Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Engdahl
B
B
Arnesen
A R
AR
Mair
I W
IW
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D003051:Cochlea / Q000503:physiopathology; D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health