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Intermittent exposure to noise: effects on hearing
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology
|November 1, 1983
Summary
Intermittent exposure to intense noise, like from jackhammers, causes severe high-frequency hearing loss but minimal low-frequency loss. This contrasts with continuous noise exposure, impacting occupational hearing conservation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Audiology
- Environmental Noise Effects
Background:
- Most research on noise and hearing focuses on continuous exposure.
- Previous findings suggested intermittent noise causes less hearing damage than continuous exposure.
- Understanding noise-induced hearing loss is crucial for worker protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific effects of intermittent intense noise exposure on hearing.
- To compare hearing loss patterns from intermittent versus continuous noise exposure.
- To identify the impact of jackhammer noise on auditory function in workers.
Main Methods:
- Screened 12,000 workers to identify 295 eligible subjects.
- Focused on subjects exposed to intermittent jackhammer noise at peak levels of 118 dBA.
- Analyzed hearing loss patterns across different frequency ranges after prolonged exposure.
Main Results:
- Intermittent intense noise exposure led to severe high-frequency hearing loss.
- Minimal to no hearing loss was observed in the lower frequencies.
- This pattern significantly differed from the effects of continuous noise exposure at the same intensity.
Conclusions:
- Intermittent exposure to intense noise causes a distinct pattern of hearing loss, primarily affecting high frequencies.
- This finding challenges previous assumptions about the lesser damaging effects of intermittent noise.
- Further research is needed to determine if this pattern applies to all types of intermittent noise sources.