David Y. Chung

Original Papers · Travaux originaux: Factors Affecting the Prevalence of Tinnitus

The prevalence of tinnitus was studied in a large population of noise-exposed workers. It was found that 6.6% had tinnitus which was more than momentary. Results of two other studies were compared. Factors possibly relating to the prevalence of tinnitus were studied. The single most important factor found to be related to tinnitus is hearing level. The higher the hearing level, the faster the rate of increase in the prevalence of tinnitus. Other factors such as sex, age, laterality, smoking and shooting do not seem to have a significant, direct relationship with tinnitus, but they are related to the prevalence of tinnitus indirectly through the influence they have on hearing loss.

The ear effect as a function of age and hearing loss

Many studies have shown that the right ear statistically is slightly more sensitive than the left ear, particularly in the male adult population. In this study, we examined the lateral difference in hearing sensitivity, termed the ear effect here, in an industrial noise-exposed, nonshooting population, by sex, age, and hearing level. It was found that the male population had a larger ear effect (right ear being more sensitive) than the female population. The magnitude of the ear effect was found to be significantly related to the hearing threshold level. The ear effect was highest when the threshold was between 30- and 40-dB HL. Several possible causes for the ear effect are discussed.

Lateral Differences in Susceptibility to Noise Damage

Usually equal noise exposure is considered to cause symmetrical hearing loss. In studying 1 461 audiometric records of claims for noise-induced hearing loss, it was found that 69 (4.7%) had a well-defined pattern of hearing loss in which only 2 kHz is asymmetrical by 20 dB or more. Audiograms of this type suggest that the cochlea of the worse ear has been damaged more extensively towards the apex. Of the 69 cases with a 2-kHz asymmetry, 82.6% had worse hearing thresholds in the left ear at 2 kHz. In 50% of the 69 cases, the asymmetry could not be accounted for even after the examination of their medical, occupational and nonoccupational histories. It is believed that the asymmetry at 2 kHz is a manifestation of a lateral difference in susceptibility to noise damage and that the left ear is the more susceptible one in the majority of cases.

Hearing loss due to noise trauma

Three different types of noise-induced hearing loss have been reported in the literature. The two less common types are described here. Three cases of these two types from our clinic are reported. Since these 2 types of noise-induced hearing loss often involve low frequencies it is important to recognize them in compensation cases.

A field study of the performance of circumaural hearing protectors by dosimetry

The performance of earmuffs in the actual working environment was studied with two dosimeters which had been modified so that the 1/4 in. microphone connecting to the dosimeter could be placed inside an earmuff with negligible noise leakage. It was found that personal hearing protection, at least with earmuffs, is a potentially adequate method of protection against noise‐induced hearing loss in most industrial working situations. Most of the problems involving the use of hearing protectors in a hearing conservation program can be overcome by education and proper fitting.