NOISE AND PESTICIDES: DETERMINING OTOACOUSTIC EMISSIONS AND SUPPRESSION EFFECT

Ano: 2013 | Volume: 17 | Número: Suplemento

Autores: Alcarás PAS, Lacerda ABM.

Resumo Inglês:

OBJECTIVE: To analyze evoked otoacoustic emissions and suppression effects in workers with normal hearing exposed to pesticides and noise, with prevention of hearing loss as a goal. METHODS: The sample consisted of 55 participants with normal hearing, with ages ranging from 18 to 35 years, divided into 2 groups: a group exposed to noise and pesticides (GRA) and a control group (CG). GRA was composed of 25 participants who were exposed to a representative average level of daily occupational exposure of 86 dBA and organophosphate-type pesticides, and GC was composed of 30 participants who were not exposed to noise or pesticides. All participants underwent transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) examinations and evaluation of the suppression effect. RESULTS: The results indicated statistically significant differences between the two groups, with GRA participants demonstrating worse results in the TEOAE and DPOAE exams. Regarding the suppression effect, lesser effects were observed in GRA, with the presence of significant differences. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that evaluation of OAEs and suppression effects can be useful for early identification of hearing damage in workers who are simultaneously exposed to noise and pesticides.