I. What is noise deafness?
Noise-induced deafness is a slowly progressive hearing disorder caused by long-term exposure to sound stimulation. In the daily production and living environment, a lot of noise can be generated everywhere, and the deafness caused by noise is called noise deafness, such as forging, textile workers and some clanging jobs or operations, which cause serious damage to hearing due to long-time noise stimulation, and these are the role of high-intensity noise environment, so this kind of deafness is related to occupation.
There is also the deafness caused by sudden huge noise and shock wave (such as blasting, mountain opening, cannon sound), called acute noise deafness also called storm shock deafness. Strong air shock waves can produce mechanical damage, shatter the eardrum or cause bleeding in the inner ear and damage to the auditory receptors, etc.
Symptoms and hazards of noise deafness
After noise deafness occurs, the earliest symptom is tinnitus, often high-pitched tinnitus, and another symptom is progressive hearing loss, which may be accompanied by vertigo and headache. Once noise deafness is formed, it is very difficult to treat it. Therefore, prevention is extremely important, and the first measure is to reduce the intensity of noise, install sound insulation and muffling facilities, and wear anti-sound devices, such as cotton plugs and ear muffs to reduce noise stimulation.
Examination methods of noise deafness
The general examination of otorhinolaryngological area is mostly abnormal. Pure tone electrical audiometry is inductive deafness.
Diagnosis must have.
1. A clear history of noise exposure i.e., a history of prolonged overtime work in an environment exceeding 85 dB or more.
2. Complaints of bilateral tinnitus with progressive deafness without other causative factors.
Audiometry was done for suspected noise-induced deafness. In a soundproof room with a noise level less than 30dB, an experienced and dedicated audiometer will test and measure the hearing threshold after the subject has been out of the noise environment for 12-16 hours, and then calculate the average hearing threshold of 500, 1000 and 2000Hz air conduction to determine the degree and level of deafness.
4. Noise deafness – preventive measures
1.Control the source of noise
This is the most active and fundamental approach. In the construction of plants, installation of machinery should be used when a variety of sound insulation, shock absorption measures, such as noise workshop and other plant separation, planting trees in the middle; workshop walls and ceilings installed with sound-absorbing materials; machine installation density should be sparse; between the machine and the foundation, metal surfaces and surfaces with appropriate filling materials; pipe noise with the wrap method to prevent sound, airflow noise available silencer or expand the vent, etc.. So that the noise is reduced to the national protection standards (85 ~ 90dB) or less.
2.Reduce contact time
Such as in the soundproof room line between work breaks, or reduce the daily and weekly exposure to noise time.
Can also reduce the incidence. You can also rotate the type of work according to the actual situation, which can also reduce hearing damage.
3.Soundproofing of the ear
Wear ear plugs, ear muffs, soundproof caps and other anti-sound equipment, generally in 80dB noise environment for long-term work that should be equipped with simple ear plugs; 90dB or more must use protective tools. For the simple ones, cotton can be used to tighten the outer ear canal and then apply Vaseline, the sound insulation value can reach 30dB.
4.Health supervision
Hearing should be checked before employment. Those who suffer from sensorineural deafness and noise sensitivity should avoid working in strong noise environments. Those who are exposed to noise should have their hearing checked regularly to detect early hearing damage in time and give proper treatment.
5. Strive for early treatment.
V. Noise Deafness – Complications
It will cause irreversible neuropathic damage and can lead to lifelong deafness.