Pre-employment hearing threshold levels of 59,601 Australian male coal miners compared to an otologically normal international male population (ISO7029:2019).
Int J Audiol
; 62(8): 729-737, 2023 08.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35801823
The coal mining industry in Australia typically employs 20,00030,000 workers annually. These workers are potentially exposed to noise levels between 80 dB(A) and 120 dB(A) whilst at work, and thus at high risk of developing noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). NIHL is the most compensated, occupational disease for coal mining in Australia, costing the Australian State of New South Wales (NSW) up to $4 million each year. And yet: NIHL is entirely preventable.This is the second of two studies of Australian coal mining, analysing a database containing de-identified mandatory audiometric testing results. Evidence of hearing loss within this population was determined in the first study, and the aim of this follow-up study was to determine if there were differences in the median hearing threshold levels in the mining population compared to an otologically normal, international population (ISO7029). The results indicate that the mining population HTLs for males are significantly different (worse) compared to an age and gender matched otologically normal population, specifically at 4 kHz for older workers. Evidence of age-related hearing loss was also found.From a workplace perspective, employers need to consider appropriate workplace interventions to promote hearing loss prevention strategies across the workforce. This information can be used to inform future noise and hearing policies and procedures within this, as well as other noisy industries, to prevent and reduce further exposure of workers to excessive noise.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Exposição Ocupacional
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Surdez
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Mineradores
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Perda Auditiva Provocada por Ruído
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Ruído Ocupacional
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Doenças Profissionais
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Aged
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Humans
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Male
País/Região como assunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Audiol
Assunto da revista:
AUDIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Austrália