Caracterização do perfil auditivo de frentistas de postos de combustível

Abstract

Introduction: Researches into populations with low solvent exposures, or exposures within tolerance levels allowed in the occupational field are still restricted. Purpose: To characterize the hearing profile of gas station attendants. Methods: Cross-sectional study, constituted of two groups, matched by gender and age: Control Group -23 subjects without exposure to noise or chemicals; Experimental Group -21 gas station attendants. An audiological evaluation was performed, composed by pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry and acoustic impedance tests. The statistical analysis used average calculation, standard deviation, minimum and maximum value; Chi-square Test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The significance level was 5%. Results: Hearing loss was verified in gas station attendants characterized by impairment of the peripheral auditory system, suggesting toxic effects of exposure to fuels. There was a correlation between age and solvent exposure time. Comparing the groups, the acoustic reflex showed more alterations in the experimental group, with a difference for the ipsilateral acoustic reflexes of the right ear and contralateral ones of the left ear. Conclusion: There was no difference between the groups for the hearing thresholds; however, the difference observed in the ipsilateral and contralateral acoustic reflexes in the experimental group suggests retrocochlear impairment. Due to the evidence observed in this study, it is considered relevant to include the acoustic reflex research in the auditory evaluation of the gas station attendants, as well as the integration of this professional category into hearing loss prevention programs.

Auditory system dysfunction in Brazilian gasoline station workers

“…Similar results from gasoline station workers were reported earlier (Tochetto, Quevedo, and Siqueira 2013), as well as in previous studies with solvent exposed workers McPherson 2007a, 2007b;Fuente, McPherson, and Hickson 2011;Fuente, McPherson, and Cardemil 2013;Fuente, McPherson, and Hormazabal 2013;Fuente, McPherson, and Hickson 2013). On the other hand, Zucki et al (2017) found no significant differences in the audiometric thresholds of gasoline station workers and unexposed controls. The significantly poorer hearing thresholds in participants exposed to gasoline vapours could indicate an early peripheral auditory dysfunction.…”

“…No significant differences in absence or elevation of ART were noted among petroleum refinery workers, but the workers from an aromatic plant showed a significantly higher percentage of cases of pathological acoustic reflex decay than the other studied groups (Morata, Engel et al 1997). In another study (Zucki et al 2017), no statistical difference was found between gasoline station workers and a CG for ART, however, they reported a greater occurrence of abnormal acoustic reflexes.…”

“…Moreover, ARTs are typically elevated or absent with the stimulus to the affected ear in cases of retrocochlear pathologies or eighth cranial nerve lesions (Hunter and Shahnaz 2014). Zucki et al (2017) also concluded that the gasoline station workers evaluated for them could have retrocochlear dysfunction based on the acoustic reflex abnormalities they found.…”

“…absent or elevated). Zucki et al (2017) compared the auditory profile of 21 gasoline station workers with 23 subjects without exposure to noise or chemical agents. No statistical differences were found between auditory thresholds nor between acoustic reflex thresholds (ARTs) between the two groups.…”

Efeitos da exposição a produtos químicos ou ao ruído sobre a audição

“…Quanto aos tipos de elementos químicos aos quais os indivíduos do grupo Químicos estão expostos, nota-se que todos têm exposição ao menos a um tipo de solvente. Tais elementos apresentam potencial para alterações retrococleares (Zucki et al, 2017). Metais e asfixiantes também podem ser incluídos na lista de produtos potencialmente lesivos à audição (Morata e Johnson, 2012;NIOSH, 2018).…”