Noise exposure and hearing status among call center operators.
Noise Health
; 20(96): 178-189, 2018.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30516171
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The overall objective of the study was to assess noise exposure and audiometric hearing threshold levels (HTLs) in call center operators. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Standard pure-tone audiometry and extended high-frequency audiometry were performed in 78 participants, aged 19 to 44 years (mean ± standard deviation 28.1 ± 6.3 years), employed up to 12 years (2.7 ± 2.9 years) at one call center. All participants were also inquired about their communication headset usage habits, hearing-related symptoms, and risk factors for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Noise exposure under headsets was evaluated using the microphone in a real ear technique as specified by ISO 11904-12002. The background noise prevailing in offices was also measured according to ISO 96122009. RESULTS ANDDISCUSSION:
A personal daily noise exposure level calculated by combining headset and nonheadset work activities ranged from 68 to 79 dBA (74.7 ± 2.5 dBA). Majority (92.3%) of study participants had normal hearing in both ears (mean HTL in the frequency range of 0.25-8 kHz ≤20 dB HL). However, their HTLs in the frequency range of 0.25 to 8 kHz were worse than the expected median values for equivalent highly screened otologically normal population, whereas above 8 kHz were comparable (9-11.2 kHz) or better (12.5 kHz). High-frequency hearing loss (mean HTLs at 3, 4, and 6 kHz >20 dB HL) and speech-frequency hearing loss (mean HTLs at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz >20 dB HL) were noted in 8.3% and 6.4% of ears, respectively. High-frequency notches were found in 15.4% of analyzed audiograms. Moreover, some of call center operators reported hearing-related symptoms.CONCLUSIONS:
Further studies are needed before firm conclusions concerning the risk of NIHL in this professional group can be drawn.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Call Centers
/
Perda Auditiva de Alta Frequência
/
Perda Auditiva Provocada por Ruído
/
Ruído Ocupacional
/
Doenças Profissionais
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Noise Health
Assunto da revista:
AUDIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Polônia