Occupational Hearing LossThe Significance of Asymmetrical Hearing Thresholds
- 1 January 1979
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Acta Oto-Laryngologica
- Vol. 87 (3-6) , 255-263
- https://doi.org/10.3109/00016487909126417
Abstract
In 1873 consecutive patients referred for compensation assessment for presumed industrial hearing loss, 281 (15%) had an average difference in hearing threshold between the ears of 15 dB at ½, 1, 2 and 4 kHz. An unrelated cause was found in 115 (6%). It was due to trauma in 37 (2%), unexplained in 32 (1.7%) and attributed to noise exposure in 97 (5.2%). The possible mechanisms for noise as a cause are discussed and include shielding of one ear from noise, unequal recovery after severe noise exposure, and unequal sensitivity of the ears. After extensive investigation, including X-rays, vestibular tests and some myelograms, no treatable disorder was discovered.Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- XXX The Effect of Tractor Noise on the Auditory Sensitivity of Tractor OperatorsAnnals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 1958