Is the Level of Noise in a School Environment be Harmful to the Hearing of Teachers?

Abstract

Introduction The excessive noise observed in the school environment can cause damages or losses to the learning process as well as risks to the health of teachers and students, such as physical, mental and social impairments, including, among them, hearing loss. Objective To assess otoacoustic emissions in teachers and determine whether classroom noise reduces distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Method Sixty-seven teachers were evaluated using otoacoustic emissions testing in two situations: after hearing rest and after the working day. Results Signal amplitude (p = 0.044 [2 kHz]; p = 0.01 [4 kHz]) and SNR for frequencies of 2 kHz (p = 0.008) and 4 kHz (p = 0.001) decreased significantly between time points. Mean classroom noise was associated with the magnitude of the difference in signal amplitude at 2 kHz (p = 0.017) and 4 kHz (p = 0.015), and SNR at 4 kHz (p = 0.023). Conclusions There was a decrease in the amplitude and in the SNR after exposure to the noise in the classroom environment. The high levels of sound pressure that teachers are exposed to on a daily basis can cause a temporary change in the outer hair cells of the Corti organ, and these changes may become permanent over time.

Identification of Noise Levels for Skill Training Activities, Equipment, Machines and Power Tools at TVET Institutes in Malaysia

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Assessment of cochlear functions in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection

“…However, the findings described in the audiometric examination at frequencies higher than 4000Hz were the results of air conduction thresholds, and TOAE amplitudes were not frequency specific. [37]. Autoimmune diseases can also negatively affect hearing.…”

Valoración del índice de discapacidad vocal y de perturbación vocal integrado en docentes

“…Entre los docentes, la disfonía es la alteración más frecuente y se define como la presencia de alguna alteración en las cualidades acústicas de la voz. Debido a la alta prevalencia en el mundo de DO entre los docentes 2 , se considera que debe ser reconocida como una enfermedad profesional, pues se presenta como consecuencia del ejercicio de la profesión 31 , por lo que las organizaciones sindicales en varios países han demandado mejores condiciones de trabajo y que sean consideradas las DO una patología profesional de los docentes 3,31 . Además, en este estudio, se realizó una valoración del riesgo físico ruido al cual se encontraban expuestos los docentes durante el ejercicio profesional, encontrando un riesgo bajo de exposición en las aulas de la institución de acuerdo con la normativa nacional; a pesar de esto, al encontrarse los docentes en constante cambio de aula, no fue posible asociar los resultados con las otras variables.…”