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High-frequency hearing risk of operators of industrial ultrasonic devices

Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1983;53(1):77-88. doi: 10.1007/BF00406179.

Abstract

Sound and ultrasound emitted by industrial ultrasonic (Uls) devices exceed the known proposed hygienic limits, especially for frequencies 10-20 kHz. The consequence of this may be a negative influence of this energy on the auditory function in the high-frequency hearing range. To determine the hearing risk to Uls operators, an adequate method for testing the hearing threshold from 10-20 kHz has been developed. In order to get reference values, 189 non-exposed persons were tested. On this basis, the hearing thresholds of 55 operators for frequencies 500-20,000 Hz were evaluated. In addition to threshold elevations in the range 10-20 kHz, a decreasing number of subjects responding to stimuli at the highest audible frequencies was observed. The threshold shift at 10-20 kHz of subjects exposed to sound and ultrasound emitted by Uls-devices depends upon the physical parameters of the sound spectrum, time on the job and daily exposure time. No abnormalities were found in the hearing range 500-8000 Hz.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Audiometry
  • Auditory Threshold
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss / etiology*
  • Hearing Loss, High-Frequency / diagnosis
  • Hearing Loss, High-Frequency / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnosis
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology*
  • Ultrasonics / adverse effects*