Prevention of noise-induced hearing loss I

Researcher(s): H.W. Helleman, E.E., M. Neerings
Supervisor(s): prof. W.A. Dreschler, PhD.

Background:
In our society large numbers of people are exposed to loud sounds. Frequent exposure to loud sounds can induce damage of hearing. Because this damage is usually irreversible, it is of at most importance to detect deteriorations of hearing in an early fase. If small deteriorations are being detected, actions can be taken to avoid further irreversible damage.

Aim:
In different groups of noise exposed employees, we will investigate the applicability and added value of oto acoustic emissions (OAE) as a test to obtain parameters for the individual sensitivity to noise induced hearing loss.

Method:
In a third group of employees of a large printing office, a small test battery was used to investigate whether the results of oto acoustis emissions (TEOAE and DPOAE) are related with more classical parameters derived from the pure tone audiogram in order to characterize noise induced hearing loss. The results have also been compared with the results of speech audiometry in noise and a subjective rating of the status of hearing derived from a questionnaire.

Results:
In 2004 the test battery has been conducted in about 300 employees of the printing office. The data of this cross sectional study have been analyzed and will be used as a base line for a longitudinal study. In 2006 a second series of tests have been conducted in the same employees. About 90% of the participants to the first series of tests was also available for the second tests. This unique data base is available for further analyses of the added value of oto acoustic emissions in a noise exposed population.

Future research:
The results will be analysed and will be published to papers. Future experimental work will focus on a population of employees that are exposed to impulse noises.


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General Otology Prevention of hearing loss Ototoxicity in patients treated with the RADPLAT-protocol Noise exposure in classical musicians Prevention of noise-induced hearing loss I Prevention of noise-induced hearing loss II Auditory profile Rehabilitation Hearing at work Publications Presentations	Prevention of noise-induced hearing loss I Researcher(s): H.W. Helleman, E.E., M. Neerings Supervisor(s): prof. W.A. Dreschler, PhD. Background: In our society large numbers of people are exposed to loud sounds. Frequent exposure to loud sounds can induce damage of hearing. Because this damage is usually irreversible, it is of at most importance to detect deteriorations of hearing in an early fase. If small deteriorations are being detected, actions can be taken to avoid further irreversible damage. Aim: In different groups of noise exposed employees, we will investigate the applicability and added value of oto acoustic emissions (OAE) as a test to obtain parameters for the individual sensitivity to noise induced hearing loss. Method: In a third group of employees of a large printing office, a small test battery was used to investigate whether the results of oto acoustis emissions (TEOAE and DPOAE) are related with more classical parameters derived from the pure tone audiogram in order to characterize noise induced hearing loss. The results have also been compared with the results of speech audiometry in noise and a subjective rating of the status of hearing derived from a questionnaire. Results: In 2004 the test battery has been conducted in about 300 employees of the printing office. The data of this cross sectional study have been analyzed and will be used as a base line for a longitudinal study. In 2006 a second series of tests have been conducted in the same employees. About 90% of the participants to the first series of tests was also available for the second tests. This unique data base is available for further analyses of the added value of oto acoustic emissions in a noise exposed population. Future research: The results will be analysed and will be published to papers. Future experimental work will focus on a population of employees that are exposed to impulse noises.