Early diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss among female workers of textile factories
Magomedov, M.M.; Kunel'skaia, N.L.
Vestnik Otorinolaringologii 5: 8-11
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4668 PMID: 9432785 Document Number: 478377
Eight six women 19-60 years of age working as weavers for 1 to 30 years were examined to detect early preclinical neurosensory hypoacusis in weavers continuously exposed to noise and vibration and to clarify correlations between severity of hearing dysfunction and duration of service. The examination consisted of clinical and comprehensive audiological tests (tonal threshold audiometry in the range 125-20,000 Hz, determination of ultrasound waves' threshold and laterization). It was found that some forms of hypoacusis manifest with elevated hearing thresholds, primarily 12,000-20,000 Hz, while standard tonal threshold audiometry fails to register deviation from normal values. This enables, on the one hand, detection of early preclinical forms of neurosensory hypoacusis undetectable by standard audiometry and differentiating some forms of hearing disorders, on the other hand. Thus, disturbances of autonomic and central nervous systems preceed hypoacusis presenting as asthenovegetative and neurotic syndromes, dysfunction of peripheral vessels and other systems.