P-565 CLINICAL AND AUDIOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF OCCUPATIONAL HEARING LOSS

Abstract

Occupational Deafness (OD) is an acquired hearing impairment attributable to excessive workplace noise, which causes a serious problem of fitness for work and thus requires early detection. Objectives: To describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of OD, and to assess its impact on the work-fitness decision. A retrospective, descriptive study of workers with OD referred to the Occupational Medicine Department over a period of 22 years. We included 111 patients. The majority were men (67%) with an average age of 40 years. The most affected sectors were call centers (55%), transport sector (11%), building and public works sector (10%). Hearing loss was discovered following symptoms in 84% and on the occasion of screening during occupational medical surveillance in 16%. The most reported functional signs were Hypoacusis (80%), tinnitus (56%), vertigo (30%) and otalgia (23%). The average duration between employment and the onset of the first auditory manifestations relative to noise exposure was 4.5 years. Pure-tone audiometry was performed for all patients and revealed sensorineural, bilateral and symmetric deafness in 86% of cases. The mean hearing loss on the best ear was 37.16 dB, on the right and 36.11 dB, on the left. Deafness was considered as a compensable occupational disease for 23.1% of the employees and justified occupational redeployment for 53% of cases. OD affected several sectors and often compromises fitness for work. Pure-tone audiometry remains the crucial test for screening and diagnosis. Noise reduction and regular medical surveillance are essential to screen hearing loss at an early stage.