High-frequency Audiometry Hearing on Monitoring of Individuals Exposed to Occupational Noise: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction The literature reports on high-frequency audiometry as one of the exams used on hearing monitoring of individuals exposed to high sound pressure in their work environment, due to the method́s greater sensitivity in early identification of hearing loss caused by noise. The frequencies that compose the exam are generally between 9 KHz and 20KHz, depending on the equipment.Objective This study aims to perform a retrospective and secondary systematic revision of publications on high-frequency audiometry on hearing monitoring of individuals exposed to occupational noise.Data Synthesis This systematic revision followed the methodology proposed in the Cochrane Handbook, focusing on the question: “Is High-frequency Audiometry more sensitive than Conventional Audiometry in the screening of early hearing loss individuals exposed to occupational noise?” The search was based on PubMed data, Base, Web of Science (Capes), Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), and in the references cited in identified and selected articles. The search resulted in 6059 articles in total. Of these, only six studies were compatible with the criteria proposed in this study.Conclusion The performed meta-analysis does not definitively answer the study's proposed question. It indicates that the 16 KHz high frequency audiometry (HFA) frequency is sensitive in early identification of hearing loss in the control group (medium difference (MD = 8.33)), as well as the 4 KHz frequency (CA), this one being a little less expressive (MD = 5.72). Thus, others studies are necessary to confirm the HFA importance for the early screening of hearing loss on individuals exposed to noise at the workplace.

High-Frequency Audiometry for Early Detection of Hearing Loss: A Narrative Review

“…The control groups had 32–142 participants. Five of the studies involving workplace noise exposure only assessed men [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], four of them included both men and women [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ], and one study was a review [ 31 ]. The age range was 15–61 years, and the age groups used also varied.…”

“…All studies compared CA and HFA, and five of them even included a frequency of 20 kHz. An Interacoustic audiometer was used in four studies; three of these used the AC 40 type [ 22 , 26 , 28 ], and one used the AS10HF type [ 31 ]. Two studies used a Madsen audiometer [ 23 , 30 ], a further two used the Amplaid [ 22 , 28 ], and one study used a Labat Audiopack [ 27 ].…”

“…Three studies used Koss headphones [ 22 , 26 , 28 ]. The systematic review conducted by Antonioli et al compared six studies with six different audiometers and different types of headphones [ 31 ].…”

Work-Related Noise Exposure in a Cohort of Patients with Chronic Tinnitus: Analysis of Demographic and Audiological Characteristics

“…Hearing loss above the clinical range has been studied with high-frequency audiometry in occupational noise-exposed individuals. High-frequency hearing loss has been suggested as an early indicator of NIHL, and high-frequency audiometry has been proposed for assessing susceptibility to noise damage [ 95 , 96 , 97 ].…”

Effect of Blood Group on Ultrahigh Frequency Auditory Sensitivity

“… 4 10 11 However, a recent systematic review suggests that high-frequency audiometry may not be an optimal tool to identify NIHL. 12 The present study attempted to analyze the effect of blood group on ultrahigh-frequency thresholds and ultrahigh-frequency DPOAEs in young adult females with normal hearing. The study attempted to understand if there are differences in ultrahigh-frequency thresholds and ultrahigh-frequency DPOAE amplitudes in individuals with different blood groups.…”