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Does occupational noise cause asymmetric hearing loss?
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
Objective:
Determine whether occupational noise exposure increases audiometric asymmetry.
Design:
Audiograms were performed on 2044 men from the Occupational Noise and Hearing Survey, representing four groups based on preliminary screening (for previous noise exposure, otologic history, and otoscopy) and current occupational noise exposure. The effects of current noise exposure on audiometric asymmetry were tested using ANCOVA, with binaural average thresholds as covariates.
Results:
There were no significant differences in asymmetry attributable to current occupational noise exposure.
Results:
Occupational noise exposure does not usually cause or exacerbate audiometric asymmetry.
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