Audiological evaluation in workers exposed to noise and pesticide

Noise-induced hearing loss has been studied for many years and today many experts also investigate the synergic action of chemical products, since they can be potentially ototoxic.Aimto investigate the audiological findings in workers exposed to occupational noise and pesticide and to compare it to data from noise-exposed workers.Study DesignClinical retrospective.Material and Methodindividuals that had been exposed to pesticide and noise (group I), and individuals that had been exposed to noise only (group II).ResultsThe classification of the audiometric findings showed in that group I: 35% had normal hearing thresholds, 53.75% had degree 1 hearing loss and 11.25% had degree 2 hearing loss; and group II had 57.5% of normal hearing, 40% had degree 1 hearing loss and only 2.5% had degree 2 hearing loss. The analysis of the audiometric findings also showed a significant worsening after comparing groups I and II thresholds, in the frequency of 3 kHz on the left ear and 4 kHz on both ears.ConclusionThe analysis showed that group I had worse audiometric thresholds compared to group II.