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Occupational noise exposure and tinnitus: the HUNT Study
Ina Molaug1, Lisa Aarhus1, Ingrid Sivesind Mehlum1,2
1Department of Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, The National Institute of Occupational Health in Norway, Oslo, Norway.
International Journal of Audiology
|May 21, 2023
Summary
Occupational noise exposure was not linked to tinnitus using objective measures. However, self-reported high noise exposure correlated with tinnitus, particularly in individuals with hearing loss, suggesting hearing status is key.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Audiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Tinnitus is a common condition often linked to noise exposure.
- Understanding the relationship between occupational noise and tinnitus is crucial for prevention.
- Hearing status may modify the impact of noise on tinnitus development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between occupational noise exposure and tinnitus.
- To determine if hearing status influences the relationship between noise exposure and tinnitus.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 14,945 Norwegian adults (HUNT4 study).
- Tinnitus prevalence was analyzed against job exposure matrix (JEM)-based and self-reported occupational noise exposure.
- Analyses were adjusted for confounders and stratified by hearing status.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between JEM-based occupational noise exposure and tinnitus.
- Self-reported high noise exposure was associated with tinnitus overall.
- This association was significant among individuals with elevated hearing thresholds but not with normal hearing.
Conclusions:
- Objective noise exposure assessment did not reveal a link to tinnitus, possibly due to hearing protection use.
- Subjective high noise exposure was linked to tinnitus, especially in those with hearing loss.
- The findings suggest that noise-induced tinnitus is significantly influenced by the presence of audiometric hearing loss.
