Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2014; 18(02): 136-141
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1361083
Original Research
Thieme Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Auditory Effects of Exposure to Noise and Solvents: A Comparative Study

Diolen Conceição Barros Lobato
1   Department of Audiology, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná; Universidade da Amazônia, Belém, PA, Brazil
,
Adriana Bender Moreira De Lacerda
2   Department of Comunication Disorders, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
,
Cláudia Giglio De Oliveira Gonçalves
2   Department of Comunication Disorders, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
,
Herton Coifman
3   Departament of Otorhinolaryngology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

27 July 2013

10 September 2013

Publication Date:
03 December 2013 (online)

Abstract

Introduction Industry workers are exposed to different environmental risk agents that, when combined, may potentiate risks to hearing.

Objective To evaluate the effects of the combined exposure to noise and solvents on hearing in workers.

Methods A transversal retrospective cohort study was performed through documentary analysis of an industry. The sample (n = 198) was divided into four groups: the noise group (NG), exposed only to noise; the noise and solvents group (NSG), exposed to noise and solvents; the noise control group and noise and solvents control group (CNS), no exposure.

Results The NG showed 16.66% of cases suggestive of bilateral noise-induced hearing loss and NSG showed 5.26%. The NG and NSG had worse thresholds than their respective control groups. Females were less susceptible to noise than males; however, when simultaneously exposed to solvents, hearing was affected in a similar way, resulting in significant differences (p < 0.05). The 40- to 49-year-old age group was significantly worse (p < 0.05) in the auditory thresholds in the NSG compared with the CNS.

Conclusion The results observed in this study indicate that simultaneous exposure to noise and solvents can damage the peripheral auditory system.

 
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