title: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL): literature review with a focus on occupational medicine.
abstract: According to the Ministry of Health (2006), Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is hearing loss caused by prolonged exposure to noise. It is characterized as sensorineural hearing loss and is usually bilateral, irreversible, and progressive while the exposure to noise continues. A NIHL is a predictable and preventable disease with an epidemiologically relevant prevalence in urban communities. The hearing loss begins and predominates in the frequencies of 3, 4, and 6 kHz and eventually progresses to 8, 2, 1, 0.5, and 0.25 kHz. In Brazil, regulatory standard 15 limits the exposure to continuous noise to no more than 4 hours' exposure to 90 dBA and a maximum level of 85 dB for a full 8-hour working period. As NIHL is a preventable and predictable disease, preventive action by professionals may be able to change the prevalence of hearing loss in noisy environments.
authors.affiliation: Medical Resident.
authors.forename: Mirella Melo
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Metidieri
authors.affiliation: Medical Resident.
authors.forename: Hugo Fernandes Santos
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Medical Resident.
authors.forename: Francisco José Motta Barros de Oliveira
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.affiliation: Medical Resident.
authors.forename: Daniela Pereira
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Ferraz
authors.affiliation: Medical Resident.
authors.forename: Antonio Fausto de Almeida
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngologist. Specialist.
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Torres
keywords: hearing loss; noise; noise-induced; occupational