NIOSH significant threshold shift and OSHA standard threshold shift criteria for early detection of noise-induced hearing loss

Authors

  • Nicha Wongkeereepiboon Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital
  • Aurapan Chaimanee Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14456/dcj.2022.33

Keywords:

audiogram, noise-induced hearing loss, standard threshold shift, significant threshold shift

Abstract

Interpretation of audiograms by using a comparison with baseline audiograms is effective early detection of noise-induced hearing loss. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hearing threshold shift with NIOSH significant threshold shift criteria and OSHA standard threshold shift criteria in addition to evaluate the degree of hearing loss. This analysis included workers at an electronic factory, followed between 2018 and 2020. Multivariable Multilevel Gaussian Regression was conducted to estimate hearing threshold shift. The mean age of 598 workers was 37.2±8.4 years in 2018 and most of them were female (77.6%). The prevalence of NIOSH Significant threshold shift was 41.5% (95% CI=37.49-45.54) and the prevalence of OSHA Standard threshold shift was 25.3 (95% CI=21.81-28.93). Hearing loss was most severe at 6,000 Hz. After adjustment for gender, age, and departments, there was a change of 2.0-4.4 dB in threshold shift over 1 year and 3.9 - 6.2 dB over 2 years. These results revealed that the NIOSH significant threshold shift criteria or OSHA standard threshold shift criteria can be used to detect noise-induced hearing loss earlier than interpretation without a baseline audiogram. In addition, it is important to provide an annual audiogram to comply with legislation and prevent irreversible hearing loss.

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References

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Published

2022-06-29

How to Cite

1.
Wongkeereepiboon N, Chaimanee A. NIOSH significant threshold shift and OSHA standard threshold shift criteria for early detection of noise-induced hearing loss. Dis Control J [Internet]. 2022 Jun. 29 [cited 2024 Nov. 18];48(2):394-403. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/DCJ/article/view/249576

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Original Article