engleski

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss - case report

Introduction: Noise at the workplace can have an adverse effect on hearing and can cause damage in the inner ear. Occupational noise- induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the cumulative, permanent loss of hearing that develops gradually over time and is a result of continuous or intermittent noise exposure. NIHL is bilateral, symmetrical, sensorineural impairment and usually affecting the higher frequencies. In Croatia, NIHL is a compensable disease and during ten years (2008.-2018.) there have been recognized 53 NIHL as an occupational disease. Aim: The paper describes case of worker with NIHL caused by exposure to continuous noise at the workplace and intermittent excessive noise during war actions. Case report: The worker employed as an isolator was at the workplace exposed to an equivalent noise of 87 dB. His hearing was periodically examined every two years by occupational medicine specialist and audiograms showed initial sensorineural hearing loss as result of noise effect (NIHL). He has been working five years before he went to the guard during the war, where he spent two years. After the war, before he went back to work, his hearing was tested. An audiogram showed that NIHL deteriorated in comparison with hearing loss before participating in the war. Worker continued to work at the same workplace and during the following thirteen years audiograms obtained from periodic medical examinations showed progression of NIHL. Discussion and conclusion: The hearing impairment in this worker is a result of noise exposure at the work, but also is the consequence of his participating in the war. Despite the participation in the war, NIHL was recognized as an occupational disease because continuous audiometric monitoring enabled separation NIHL caused by workplace noise from NIHL gained during the war.

noise ; loudness ; noise-induced hearing loss ; occupational disease

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