A history of occupational noise exposure is associated with steep-slope audiograms and poorer self-reported hearing-aid outcomes

Sabina Storbjerg Houmøller*, Li-Tang Tsai, Anne Wolff, Sreeram Kaithali Narayanan, Dan Dupont Hougaard, Michael Gaihede, Dorte Hammershøi, Tobias Neher, Christian Godballe, Jesper Hvass Schmidt

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of previous occupational noise exposure in older adults with hearing loss on (1) audiometric configuration and acoustic reflex (AR) thresholds and (2) self-reported hearing abilities and hearing aid (HA) effectiveness. Design: A prospective observational study. Study sample: The study included 1176 adults (≥60 years) with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Pure-tone audiometry, AR thresholds, and responses to the abbreviated version of the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12) and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) questionnaire were obtained, along with information about previous occupational noise exposure. Results: Greater occupational noise exposure was associated with a higher prevalence of steeply sloping audiograms in men and women and a 0.32 (95% CI: −0.57; −0.06) scale points lower mean SSQ12 total score among noise-exposed men. AR thresholds did not show a significant relation to noise-exposure status, but hearing thresholds at a given frequency were related to elevated AR thresholds at the same frequency. Conclusions: A noise exposure history is linked to steeper audiograms in older adults with hearing loss as well as to poorer self-reported hearing abilities in noise-exposed men. More attention to older adults with previous noise exposure is warranted in hearing rehabilitation.

Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Audiology
Volume63
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)772-784
ISSN1499-2027
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2024

Keywords

  • Occupational noise exposure
  • acoustic reflex threshold
  • age-related hearing loss
  • audiograms
  • hearing-aid outcome
  • Noise, Occupational/adverse effects
  • Prospective Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure/adverse effects
  • Hearing Aids/statistics & numerical data
  • Hearing Loss, Bilateral/rehabilitation
  • Male
  • Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced/etiology
  • Reflex, Acoustic
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/rehabilitation
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Report
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Auditory Threshold
  • Hearing
  • Correction of Hearing Impairment/instrumentation
  • Audiometry, Pure-Tone
  • Aged
  • Speech Perception

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