Guidelines for quantification of noise-induced hearing loss in a medicolegal context.
OBJECTIVE
Guidelines published in 2000 by the authors are widely used by medical and legal professionals in the UK for diagnosis of noise-induced hearing loss in a medicolegal context. However, they cannot be used for quantification of the noise-induced hearing loss, which is required in most cases. This requirement is addressed.


METHODS
A method is developed here to quantify noise-induced hearing loss, thereby overcoming this shortcoming.


METHODS
Assessment of noise-induced hearing loss in medicolegal cases.


METHODS
A consecutive series of 124 cases of noise-induced hearing loss is used for evaluation.


METHODS
Magnitude of noise-induced hearing loss based on hearing threshold levels averaged over the frequencies 1, 2 and 3 kHz.


RESULTS
The rationale of the method, practical application and three worked examples are developed. A simpler short-cut method is developed and shown to be equivalent to the full method in most cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The method offers a practical approach to quantification of noise-induced hearing loss.
Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
M E
ME
Lutman
MRC Institute of Hearing Research, University Park, Nottingham, UK.
R R A
RR
Coles
Department of Medical Audiology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
J T
JT
Buffin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006320:Hearing Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006113:United Kingdom