Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Modified Experimental Conditions for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Mice and Assessment of Hearing Function and Outer Hair Cell Damage
Published on: February 10, 2023
Hearing losses in wholetime firefighters occurring early in their careers
1Salus Occupational Health & Safety, 14 Beckford Street, Hamilton ML3 0TA, UK. christopher_ide@yahoo.co.uk
Background:
Most research on firefighter hearing loss has concentrated on effects over a substantial part of, or entire, firefighting career.
Aims:
To examine short-term changes in hearing in a group of local authority firefighters during their early careers
Methods:
Results of pure-tone audiometry examinations on enlistment and assessment for initial issue of a large goods vehicle (LGV) driving licence were compared.
Results:
Altogether, 118 firefighters, all male, were examined for an LGV licence over a 2.5-year period to September 2005. Data were available for 89/99 right/left ears on enlistment and 99/100 for LGV. Mean time between examinations was 4.1 years (range 1.4-12.6 years). By the LGV examination, there was deterioration in 69/99 right and 77/100 left ears, with the hearing loss in 8% of right and 13% of left ears falling into the 'warning' or 'referral' categories (Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005) compared with 1% at enlistment. These differences reached statistical significance (P < 0.05 and < 0.001, respectively)
Conclusions:
Statistically significant hearing losses occur in some firefighters during the early stages of their careers. Further work needs to be done to establish if this continues, and steps taken to reduce the noise hazard at work.
Related Concept Videos
Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
Hearing
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:
The Availability Heuristic
Minor Losses in Pipes
Valves play a significant role in generating minor losses by obstructing or redirecting the fluid flow. When a valve is closed or partially closed, it restricts the flow...
Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...

