Exposure to occupational noise: otoacoustic emissions test alterations.
Exposure to occupational noise may cause injuries to the inner ear, and the distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) may identify initial auditory alterations, thus assisting NIHL early diagnosis.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to evaluate DPOAE as a method to diagnose early physiopathological alterations caused by occupational noise exposure.


METHODS
Transversal.


METHODS
74 workers of the University of São Paulo, in the capital city of the State, participated in this investigation. They were divided in two age-matched groups and with tonal audiometric values within the acceptable limits: 37 were exposed to occupational noise and 37 were not exposed.


RESULTS
Risk estimates (Odds Ratio) of absent DPOAE was 12 fold higher for the group exposed to occupational noise (CI 95% 3.1-45.9), in the frequencies of 3. 4 and 6 kHz.


CONCLUSIONS
DPOAE may be useful in the identification of physiopathological hearing alterations caused by exposure to occupational noise, even in individuals with tonal audiometric responses within acceptable limits.
Marques
Frederico Prudente
FP
Hospital CEMEP, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, and School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Brazil. fpm@usp.br
da Costa
Everardo Andrade
EA
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006320:Hearing Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / Q000502:physiology*