Occupational Hearing Loss Flashcards

Why is noise-induced hearing loss considered a preventable occupational disease?

Answer: Because the cause is known and effective controls, protectors, and monitoring programs can prevent it

NIHL is entirely preventable because the causative agent is identifiable, measurable, and effective prevention strategies exist.

How does bilateral symmetry help determine occupational versus non-occupational causes?

Answer: NIHL from general industrial noise is typically bilateral and symmetrical; asymmetry suggests other possible causes

In most industrial environments, both ears are exposed to similar noise, producing bilateral, symmetrical loss. Significant asymmetry may indicate other causes.

What impact does NIHL have on speech understanding?

Answer: It reduces the ability to understand consonant sounds and distinguish speech in noisy environments

Because NIHL primarily affects high frequencies, it reduces the ability to hear consonant sounds that carry most speech intelligibility.

What is the relationship between noise exposure duration and hearing loss risk?

Answer: Risk increases with both intensity and cumulative duration over a working lifetime

The risk depends on both intensity and total duration, with higher levels and longer exposures producing greater damage.

What are the non-auditory health effects of chronic noise exposure?

Answer: Cardiovascular stress, sleep disturbance, elevated cortisol, hypertension, and reduced cognitive performance

Chronic noise produces cardiovascular stress, elevated blood pressure, sleep disruption, hormonal changes, and impaired cognitive function.

How is occupational hearing loss distinguished from other causes for workers compensation purposes?

Answer: Through audiometric pattern analysis, noise exposure history, medical history review, and comparison with age norms

Determining work-relatedness requires evaluating audiometric configuration, exposure history, medical history, and comparison with age-corrected norms.