title: Assessment of exposure to voices and noise via earphones in manufacturing industry workers in Japan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is concern that sound via earphones and headphones attached to headsets used in workplaces may be a risk factor for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Although there are some previous studies investigating exposure to noise from headphones, almost none have assessed the risks to workers who use earphones. We assessed exposure to noise among workers who regularly wear earphones in noisy workplaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects of this study were 21 workers who regularly wear earphones in three manufacturing companies in Japan. The sound pressure output from earphones and personal exposure to occupational noise was measured for each worker. A noise-dosimeter was used to measure individual exposure to occupational noise. The sound pressure output from the earphones was measured by recording the electric signal with a data recorder attached to the earphones, and the recording was analyzed by playing it back in the laboratory through a sound analyzer via an ear simulator.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean scores for personal exposure and earphone output LAeq were 87.9 dB and 87.6 dB, respectively. Earphone output LAeq exceeded 85 dB for two-thirds of the subjects. Nearly all the subjects lacked hearing protection devices (HPDs) on their earphones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that workers who use earphones in noisy workplaces are exposed to the following NIHL risk factors: (1) they are deprived of the opportunity to fit appropriate HPDs, and (2) the sound pressure output from the earphones themselves exceeds the occupational exposure limit.
authors: Department of Health Policy and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health.
authors: Tomo
authors: T
authors: Nakao
authors: Masazumi
authors: M
authors: Kakei
authors: Ikuno
authors: I
authors: Araki
authors: Takao
authors: T
authors: Tsutsui
authors: Noriaki
authors: N
authors: Satoh
authors: Jinro
authors: J
authors: Inoue
authors: Seichi
authors: S
authors: Horie
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation; D000328:Adult; D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D066192:Manufacturing Industry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D014831:Voice; D017132:Workplace