Cardiovascular Risk and Hearing Threshold Levels on Disc Jockey Workers

Abstract

Introduction: Noise-induced hearing loss is a major public health problem. Extended exposure to noisy music can cause not only hearing loss, but also biochemical changes in exposed Disc Jockey (DJ) workers. Aim of work: To study some health hazards; mainly biochemical changes and hearing threshold levels among DJ workers compared with a well-matched control group and the prevalence of using protective measures among this occupational group. Materials and methods: A crosssectional controlled study was conducted at Benha city, Kalyobiya Governorate, Egypt. Data was collected from the beginning of May till the end of September 2017. Sixty-three DJ workers and well-matched seventy-two office workers were subjected to an interview structured questionnaire, clinical examinations including audiometric hearing threshold assessment, biochemical analysis and Framingham coronary heart disease risk score was calculated. Results: The hearing threshold was affected in 59% of DJ workers. Blood pressure, pulse and lipid profile were statistically significantly higher in DJ workers (except HDL was lower). The difference in audiometric measures starts at 3000 at right ear and 4000 at left ear. The only significant predictor for hearing affection was work duration. Conclusion: Noise is one of the disturbing factors for health. In addition to impairing of hearing, noise affects blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid profiles which acts as risk factor for cardio vascular diseases.