Hearing impairment in Thais due to sport shooting: a preliminary report

Ninety one sportshooters from several sportshooting clubs ranging in age from 20-49 and 85 control subjects were carefully examined for hearing ability. The male and female ratio was 10.37:1. It was found that 9.34 per cent of the subjects were suffering from hearing impairment at the level of 3,000-8,000 Hertz. At most frequencies the mean decibel between the groups of shooters (1-5 years, 5-10 years, more than 10 years) was significantly different, with the right ear being significantly more impaired than the left ear (alpha = 0.1). At all frequencies the mean decibel level for the control group was significantly different from that for the sportshooters (alpha = 0.1). In conclusion, it is the responsibility of the National Environmental Board on Noise Pollution, the Royal College of Otolaryngologists of Thailand and other related organizations should be much more aggressive in educating sportshooters with regard to protecting their ears against acoustic trauma.