Changes in the Prevalence and Characteristics of Hearing Loss in a Noise-Exposed Population Between 1980 and 2015

Authors

Keywords:

Noise-induced hearing loss, hearing protection, Longitudinal, workers, prevalence, British Columbia

Abstract

Updated regulations, improved noise reduction, and increased use of hearing protective devices (HPDs) may result in better hearing for noise-exposed workers. In a retrospective longitudinal (1980-2015) cohort study, we conducted a secondary analysis of a database of annual hearing tests from noise-exposed workers aged 20-55 years old. Sample size per cohort ranged from n=1386 to n=5165. No clinically-meaningful cohort differences in thresholds of 5 dB or greater were found for 20- or 30-year olds. For 45- and 55-year olds, later-born cohorts had better thresholds than earlier-born cohorts. Prevalence of hearing loss decreased for later-born cohorts for 30, 45, and 55-year olds. Twenty-year olds in later cohorts were more likely to use HPD than those in earlier cohorts. The lower prevalence of hearing loss and better thresholds in these noise-exposed workers may be due to increased HPD use, changes in workplace regulations, improved workplace noise control, or changed attitudes towards recreational noise exposure.

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Published

2021-04-21

How to Cite

1.
Brown S, Jenstad LM, Ryall A, Stephenson E. Changes in the Prevalence and Characteristics of Hearing Loss in a Noise-Exposed Population Between 1980 and 2015. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2021 Apr. 21 [cited 2023 Jun. 2];49(1). Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/3397

Issue

Vol. 49 No. 1 (2021)

Section

Article - Hearing Conservation

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