Background: Noise is the most common occupational hazard. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a known occupational disease. The economic costs of NIHL have been estimated to be billions of dollars. Besides, cigarette smoking is a common habit worldwide.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we surveyed the effect of smoking on NIHL in 504 workers in a large wagon manufacturing company exposed to noise >85 dBA. All required data were obtained using direct interview and questionnaires. To determine noise exposure level, we used industrial hygienist's reports of sound level measurements. A qualified audiologist assessed hearing status using standardized audiometric examination.
Results: We concluded that the frequency of hearing loss in smokers was higher than non-smokers [based on Model 1: odds ratio (OR) = 9.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.74-15.22 and P-value < 0.001; and based on Model 2: OR = 9.06, 95% CI = 5.93-13.84 and P-value < 0.001]. Besides, these results were confirmed by logistic regression statistical method.
Conclusions: It can be concluded that smoking may accelerate NIHL, but for confirming this opinion, further studies are warranted.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckp167 | DOI Listing |
J Infect Dev Ctries
December 2024
Chest Dpt., Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital, GOTHI, Cairo, Egypt.
Introduction: The present study aimed to explore the epidemiologic threats and factors associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated mucormycosis (CAM) epidemic that emerged in Egypt during the second COVID-19 wave. The study also aimed to explore the diagnostic features and the role of surgical interventions of CAM on the outcome of the disease in a central referral hospital.
Methodology: The study included 64 CAM patients from a referral hospital for CAM and a similar number of matched controls from COVID-19 patients who did not develop CAM.
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
January 2025
Motion Sickness and Human Performance Laboratory, The Israel Naval Medical Institute, IDF Medical Corps, Haifa, Israel.
Purpose: Acute acoustic trauma (AAT) is a sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) due to exposure to high intensity impulse noise. There are no acceptable treatment guidelines, although several studies showed steroids could be effective in restoring hearing levels. A recent report suggested that steroids combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) are a superior regiment for AAT.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNPJ Aging
January 2025
Department of Epidemiology, Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Objective and subjective aging indicators reflect diverse biological and psychosocial processes, yet their combined association with premature mortality remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between a multidomain framework of aging indicators and premature mortality, addressing gaps in understanding cumulative effects. We included 369,741 UK Biobank participants initially free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer, followed until December 31, 2022.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Ther
January 2025
CarVasCare Research Group (2023-GRIN-34459), Faculty of Nursing, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain.
Purpose: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is an abrupt hearing loss, often of unknown cause. Apheresis is a treatment option aimed at improving blood hemorheology by removing pathogenic blood components. There are currently no previous meta-analyses on its efficacy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol
January 2025
Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Medicine, 4209 St, OH-44, Rootstown, OH, 44272, USA; HEARS, LLC, 632 E. Market St, Ste B, Akron, OH, 44304, USA. Electronic address:
Objectives: Define the extent to which pathogenic GJB2 (gap junction beta-2) variants are responsible for non-syndromic hearing loss (NSHL) in the Asian population.
Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. CINAHL, Embase, and PubMed's MEDLINE were accessed from 1997 to 2023 using permutations of the MeSH terms: "Asian," ''Southeast Asian,'' "South Asian," "East Asian," "Southeastern Asian," and "GJB2.
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!