| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2022 | Volume
: 24
| Issue : 114 | Page : 182--190 |
Effects of Noise and Chemical Exposure on Peripheral and Central Auditory Pathways in Normal-hearing Workers
Júlio CS Trabanco1, Bruno Morita1, Carla Gentile Matas1, Karina Mary de Paiva2, Renata R Moreira3, Seisse GG Sanches1, Alessandra G Samelli1
1 Department of Physical Therapy, Speech-language Pathology and Audiology, and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine (FMUSP), University of São Paulo, Brazil
2 Department of Speech-language Pathology and Audiology, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
3 Audiological Service, University Hospital, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Correspondence Address:
Alessandra G Samelli
Rua Cipotânea, 51, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05360-160
Brazil
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/nah.nah_10_22
Objectives: To assess the effects of noise and chemical exposure on peripheral and central auditory pathways in normal-hearing workers exposed to chemicals or high noise levels and compare the groups with each other and with workers not exposed to either of these agents. Methods: A total of 54 normal-hearing workers were divided into three groups (chemical, noise, control) and submitted to the following assessments: conventional and extended high-frequency pure-tone audiometry; transient and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions, the inhibitory effect of the efferent auditory pathway; and Staggered Spondaic Word (SSW) and Pitch Pattern Sequence (PPS) test. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in extended high-frequency hearing thresholds. Significantly lower amplitudes were observed in the noise group for otoacoustic emissions. There were significantly more absences of the inhibitory effect of the efferent system in the noise group. There was no difference between the groups in the SSW test, while in PPS, the noise group performed worse than the control group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that noise exposure produced deleterious effects on the workers’ peripheral and central auditory systems, despite their normal hearing thresholds. The chemical group did not have significantly different results from those of the control group. It is important that individuals exposed to noise or chemicals have their auditory pathways monitored with complementary assessments.
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