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Year: 2014  Vol. 18   Num. 2  - Apr/Junee
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1361083
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Original Article
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Auditory Effects of Exposure to Noise and Solvents: A Comparative Study
Author(s):
Diolen Conceição Barros Lobato, Adriana Bender Moreira de Lacerda, Cláudia Giglio de Oliveira Gonçalves, Herton Coifman
Key words:
solvents - occupational health - audiology - hearing loss - noise-induced
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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