Comparison of the previous and incoming categorisations of audiograms in the occupational health setting in Ireland.
Audiometry is a useful screening tool used in hearing conservation programmes carried out on our work force. Maintaining healthy hearing is essential as Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), once established is irreversible. A categorisation system was developed to allow for simple triage by a non-specialist, (an occupational health nurse or audiologist) of Audiograms. Last year a new categorisation of audiograms was introduced in Ireland. I applied the previous categorisation and the new categorisation to 50 audiograms and compared the outcomes of each. The new categorisation results in fewer audiograms requiring referral to a specialist (14% versus 18%), fewer audiograms being classified at a warning level (6% versus 20%), and increases the percentage of normal audiograms (80% versus 60%). The new categorisation is more simplified, accounts for men having slightly worse higher frequency hearing than women and legislates for workers aged 18 years and older.
Mc Donnell
C
C
Mid West Occupational Health, Baalsbridge House, Charlotte Quay, Limerick City. mac318i@yahoo.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001299:Audiometry / Q000145:classification*; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D016272:Occupational Health; D009785:Occupational Health Nursing; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D012737:Sex Factors