Occupational noise exposure and hearing levels

Abstract

A study was made at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center to measure the hearing levels of persons working in a noisy environment. Two different workplaces, central air-conditioning plant and glass flowing shops, where a number of persons were exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 dB(A) were chosen. The occupational exposure to noise was determined using a sound level meter, an octave band filter and a personal noise dose meter. The hearing levels of persons exposed to these high levels of noise and a control group not exposed to occupational noise were measured by means of a pure-tone audiometer in a specially-build booth. These persons, aged between 20 to 60 years, were divided into four age groups for the study. The low ambient noise levels in the booth were measured using correlation technique since such low signals cannot be detected by an ordinary sound level meter. The audiometric findings and the results of the noise level survey are discussed in this paper.

Noise as a Public Health Problem: Proceedings of the International Congress (4th) Held at Turin (Italy) on June 21-25, 1983. Volume 1.

“…Thus for the USA and the UK, one can estimate the additional PTS caused by the noise exposure concerned, providing the audiometric procedures were the same as in the surveys in question. The necessity for an adequate control group from the same country, however, seems to be underscored by vast differences between the above data and some control measurements made in developing countries (Oleru, 1980;Ambasankaran et al, 1981).…”