The characteristics of tinnitus in workers exposed to noise.
Tinnitus is a common auditory complaint among individuals exposed to noise.


OBJECTIVE
this paper aims to study the characteristics of tinnitus in workers exposed to noise.


METHODS
this is a descriptive prospective study.


METHODS
Fifty-two individuals averaging 29 years of age were enrolled in a hearing loss prevention program at a meat processing plant. The participants were interviewed and had their hearing tested in 2005 and 2006.


RESULTS
seventy-one percent of the participants were found to have normal hearing. Tinnitus was present in 16% of the males and in 9% of the females. Mean noise exposure length was 7 years and noise levels ranged from 86 to 91 dBA (48%). Bilateral tinnitus (46%) of the hissing type (40%) and moderate intensity (49%) was the most prevalent. Symptoms began to be observed within one to five years after initial exposure to noise (67%) and manifested themselves in weekly episodes (41%) that bothered the patients mostly at night (34%). A significant correlation was observed between the frequency of tinnitus episodes and the noise levels to which workers were exposed.


CONCLUSIONS
tinnitus should be included in hearing loss prevention programs in order to more comprehensively promote occupational hearing health.
Steinmetz
Luciara Giacobe
LG
Programa de Mestrado e Doutorado em Distúrbios da Comunicação, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná.
Zeigelboim
Bianca Simone
BS
Lacerda
Adriana Bender
AB
Morata
Thais Catalani
TC
Marques
Jair Mendes
JM
D000328:Adult; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*