Relationship Between Occupational Exposure to Noise and Vibrations and Vertigo: A Prospective Case-Control Study

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Neurology
• Audiology

Background:

• Balance disorders are known occupational hazards.
• The link between specific occupations and increased vertigo or dizziness incidence is understudied.
• This study investigates the occupational profile of vertigo patients versus the general population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the occupations of vertigo patients compared to the general population.
• To evaluate occupational noise and vibration exposure prevalence in vertigo patients and controls.
• To identify potential occupational risk factors for vertigo.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, cross-sectional, observational, case-control study.
• Included 393 vertigo patients (Meniere's disease, vestibular migraine, vestibular neuritis, BPPV) and a control group from the general population (6th EWCS-Spain, 2015).
• Analyzed differences in sex, age, occupation, and exposure to noise and mechanical vibrations.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in occupational distribution were found between vertigo patients and the general population (p = 4.065 × 10⁻²⁰).
• Vertigo patients showed significantly higher exposure to occupational noise (p = 2.97 × 10⁻¹⁰; OR = 2.595) and vibrations (p = 6.23 × 10⁻¹⁰; OR = 2.722).
• These occupational exposure differences were consistent in both men and women.

Conclusions:

• A clear relationship exists between occupational exposure to noise and/or vibrations and the presence of vertigo.
• Implementing protective and preventive occupational measures may reduce vertigo incidence.
• Further research into workplace safety for vertigo prevention is warranted.