Pure tone audiometry with and without specific ear protectors.
The authors evaluated pure tone audiometry with and without specific ear protectors.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this case control study was to measure the level of sound attenuation by earplugs.


METHODS
The evaluation included sixty ears of 30 subjects of both sexes, aged between 20 and 58 years, of various professional activities, with normal hearing thresholds, and following ten hours of auditory rest. The statistical results of pure tone audiometry at 500 to 4000 Hertz with and without specific ear protectors were analyzed.


RESULTS
These results were compared with those provided by the ear protector manufacturer.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that the rate of sound reduction was similar to the manufacturer's specifications.
Rodrigues de Faria
Carlos Antonio
CA
IAMSPE, Brazil.
Suzuki
Fabio Akira
FA
D000328:Adult; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone / Q000379:methods*; D004430:Ear Protective Devices / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012016:Reference Values