title: [Occupational Hearing Loss (BK-No. 2301) - A Retrospective Analysis of 100 Consecutive Cases].
abstract: Introduction:In order for a diagnosis of Occupational Hearing Loss (BK-no. 2301) to be made certain criteria must be fulfilled to establish that the hearing loss is occupational in origin. This work compares 2 groups, those who fulfil the criteria (BKE) and those who do not (BKNE).Methods:A 100 consecutive reports ("Lärmgutachten BK-no. 2301") written by the authors were examined retrospectively. These recorded audiometric examination, an analysis of any tinnitus and noise exposure plus use of hearing protection. Pre- and post-noise exposure status together with an expert assessment of work limitations was made to produce a 7 point score.Results:67% of the group fulfilled the conditions for occupational hearing loss (9% were entitled to compensation). In the BKE group 82% showed typical audiometric signs of noise damage with 75% of them fulfilling at least 6 criteria of occupational disease no. 2301. Tinnitus typical for noise exposure was found in 26%.Discussion:A 7 point score could be useful in the future as a method of helping distinguish hearing loss and tinnitus from occupational as opposed to other causes.
authors.affiliation: Sektion Phoniatrie, HNO, Univ.-Klinik Ulm.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.affiliation: Sektion für Phoniatrie & Pädaudiologie, UNI HNO-Klinik, Ulm.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brosch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001302:Audiometry, Speech; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*