An overview of occupational noise-induced hearing loss among workers: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and preventive measures

Chen, Kou-Huang; Su, Shih‐Bin; Chen, Kow-Tong

doi:10.1186/s12199-020-00906-0

Cited by 96 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 108 publications

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“…Additionally, soundproof wall is one of the measures for residents living around highways. For workers in noisy workplaces, the preventive measures against noise include periodic noise exposure monitoring in workplaces, engineering and administrative controls, personal hearing protection and routine audiometric examinations or health education before permanent damage to the inner ear ( 51 ).…”

Section: Prevention and Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Immune System Can Hear Noise

et al. 2021

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As a stressor widely existing in daily life, noise can cause great alterations to the immune system and result in many physical and mental disorders, including noise-induced deafness, sleep disorders, cardiovascular diseases, endocrine diseases and other problems. The immune system plays a major role in maintaining homeostasis by recognizing and removing harmful substances in the body. Many studies have shown that noise may play vital roles in the occurrence and development of some immune diseases. In humans, both innate immunity and specific immunity can be influenced by noise, and different exposure durations and intensities of noise may exert various effects on the immune system. Short-term or low-intensity noise can enhance immune function, while long-term or high-intensity noise suppresses it. Noise can lead to the occurrence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) through the production of autoantibodies such as anti-Hsp70 and anti-Hsp60 and exert adverse effects related to other immune-related diseases such as some autoimmune diseases and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The neuroendocrine system, mainly including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) system, is involved in the mechanisms of immune-related diseases induced by noise and gut microbiota dysfunction. In addition, noise exposure during pregnancy may be harmful to the immune system of the fetus. On the other hand, some studies have shown that music can improve immune function and alleviate the adverse effects caused by noise.

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Section: Prevention and Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Immune System Can Hear Noise

et al. 2021

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“…NIHL is often caused by long-term occupational exposure to noise [ 2 ]. The prevalence of hearing loss due to noise varies from 11.2% to 58% globally [ 3 ]. Hearing impairment can cause communication difficulty, social isolation, emotional depression, and cognitive decline, which can result in health problems, increase hospitalization, affect quality of life, and increase the burden on the family and society [ 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Rats

Chang

Lin

Hsieh

2021

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Acupuncture has long been used to relieve some inner ear diseases such as deafness and tinnitus. The present study examined the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in animals. A NIHL rat model was established. Electroacupuncture pretreatment at 2 Hz or posttreatment at the right Zhongzhu (TE3) acupoint was applied for 1 hour. Auditory thresholds were measured using auditory brainstem responses (ABRs), and histopathology of the cochlea was examined. The results indicated that the baseline auditory threshold of ABR was not significantly different between the control (no noise), EA-only (only EA without noise), noise (noise exposure only), pre-EA (pretreating EA then noise), and post-EA (noise exposure then posttreating with EA) groups. Significant auditory threshold shifts were found in the noise, pre-EA, and post-EA groups in the immediate period after noise exposure, whereas auditory recovery was better in the pre-EA and post-EA groups than that in the noise group at the three days, one week (W1), two weeks (W2), three weeks (W3), and four weeks(W4) after noise stimulation. Histopathological examination revealed greater loss of the density of spiral ganglion neurons in the noise group than in the control group at W1 and W2. Although significant loss of spiral ganglion loss happened in pre-EA and post-EA groups, such loss was less than the loss of the noise group, especially W1. These results indicate that either pretreatment or posttreatment with EA may facilitate auditory recovery after NIHL. The detailed mechanism through which EA alleviates NIHL requires further study.

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“…The review by Mazitova et al [34] summarized five reviews (including Lie et al [31•]) and two original studies [20,35] and came to similar conclusions. Chen et al [32] summarized 108 studies on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and prevention of NIHL published between 2000 and 2020, finding the raw prevalence of occupational NIHL ranged from 11.2% in a group of South African gold miners (average age not reported) [36] to 58% in a group of construction workers in the USA (average age = 59.2 years) [37].…”

Section: Epidemiology Of Nihl-international Comparisonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Effects of Occupational Noise

2021

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Purpose of Review Workplace noise negatively impacts health, and noise-induced hearing loss is the most common work-related disease in many countries. Occupational noise may also cause cardiovascular disease, and there is epidemiologic evidence on the non-auditory effects of noise. This paper aims to briefly present and summarize the latest evidence on the auditory and non-auditory health effects of occupational noise exposure from the last 5 years. Recent Findings Two systematic reviews assessing the cardiovascular effects of occupational noise exposure were published in the last year. Our own recent review found convincing evidence of an association between occupational noise exposure > 80 dB(A) and hypertension and a dose-response relationship between noise exposure and hypertension risk. Another review of cardiovascular disease conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) found an increased risk of incident ischemic heart disease at noise exposures ≥ 85 dB(A). Recent reviews on work-related injuries, diabetes, acoustic neuroma, and pregnancy outcomes also find noise-related associations. Summary Evidence of an association between occupational noise and cardiovascular outcomes was recently evaluated. We found the risk of hypertension increases with a clear dose-response relationship at noise levels > 80 dB(A). The WHO/ILO review highlights the lack of quality research including women. Additional high-quality research on epigenetic effects, oxidative stress, work-related injuries, diabetes, acoustic neuroma, and pregnancy outcomes is also needed. Urgently needed (increased) measures of workplace noise reduction will reduce the incidence of noise-induced hearing loss and help prevent cardiovascular diseases, especially hypertension.

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An overview of occupational noise-induced hearing loss among workers: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and preventive measures

Cited by 96 publications

References 108 publications

The Immune System Can Hear Noise

The Immune System Can Hear Noise

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Rats

Health Effects of Occupational Noise

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