BACKGROUND: Varied noise environments, such as impulse noise and steady-state noise, may induce distinct patterns of hearing impairment among personnel exposed to prolonged noise. However, comparative studies on these effects remain limited.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to delineate the different characteristics of hearing loss in workers exposed to steady-state noise and impulse noise.
METHODS: As of December 2020, 96 workers exposed to steady-state noise and 177 workers exposed to impulse noise were assessed. Hearing loss across various frequencies was measured using pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) audiometry.
RESULTS: Both groups of workers exposed to steady-state noise and impulse noise exhibited high frequencies hearing loss. The steady-state noise group displayed significantly greater hearing loss at lower frequencies in the early stages, spanning 1- 5 years of work (P���<���0.05). Among individuals exposed to impulse noise for extended periods (over 10 years), the observed hearing loss surpassed that of the steady-state noise group, displaying a statistically significant difference (P���<���0.05).
CONCLUSION: Hearing loss resulting from both steady-state noise and impulse noise predominantly occurs at high frequencies. Early exposure to steady-state noise induces more pronounced hearing loss at speech frequencies compared to impulse noise.
