Prevalence of tinnitus in elderly individuals with and without history of occupational noise exposure

Int. Arch. Otorhinolaryngol. 2012;16(2):222-225. DOI: 10.7162/S1809-97772012000200011 Original Article Prevalence of tinnitus in elderly individuals with and without history of occupational noise exposure Prevalência de zumbido, em idosos com e sem história de exposição ao ruído ocupacional Juliana Jandre Melo1, Caroline Luiz Meneses2, Luciana Lozza de Moraes Marchiori3. 1) Master. Speech Therapy Course Coordinator - UNOPAR/North Parana State University. 2) Master Student of Rehabilitation Science UNOPAR/UEL - North Parana State University/Londrina State University. Clinical Speech Therapy. 3) Ph.D. in Medicine and Health Science/ UEL. Professor for Mastering Course in Rehabilitation Science at UNOPAR/UEL- North Parana State University/Londrina State University. Institution: North Parana State University – UNOPAR. Londrina / PR – Brazil. Mailing address: Campus Universitário de Londrina (Clinica de Fonoaudiologia - UNOPAR) - Paris Avenue, 675 - Londrina / PR - Brazil - Zip-code: 86041-140 - Caixa Postal: 401 - Telephone: (+55 43) 3371-7775 Article received in October 10, 2011. Article approved in October 26, 2011. SUMMARY RESUMO Introduction: The various metabolic and circulatory alterations that are related to noise exposure may cause the onset of several symptoms, including tinnitus. Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of tinnitus complaints in elderly individuals with and without history of occupational noise exposure. Method: This prospective study was conducted in a sample population consisting of 502 individuals aged over 60 years, by anamnesis and audiological evaluation. The variables that were studied were the frequency of tinnitus and the history of occupational noise. Logistic regression was used to control for potential confusion or modifications caused by the effects of the other variables on the associations of interest. Results and Discussion: Tinnitus was reported in 50% of the cases, with tinnitus reported in 40% of the elderly individuals with history of occupational noise exposure, and in 43% of controls (elderly individuals without history of occupational noise exposure). A high frequency of tinnitus was detected in the population under investigation, but there were no statistically significant associations between the presence of tinnitus and history of occupational noise exposure. Conclusion: The results of this study may have occurred due to other factors such as the age of the individuals without history of occupational noise exposure. Keywords: tinnitus, noise, occupational, aged. Introdução: A variedade de alterações metabólicas e circulatórias relacionadas com o ruído pode causar o aparecimento de inúmeros sintomas auditivos, incluindo, zumbido. Objetivo: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a prevalência de queixa de zumbido, em idosos com e sem história de exposição ao ruído ocupacional. Método: Forma de estudo prospectivo foi realizado em uma amostra populacional com 502 indivíduos com idade superior a 60 anos, através de questionário padronizado e avaliação audiológica. As variáveis estudadas foram frequência de queixa de zumbido e de e história de ruído ocupacional. Foi usada regressão logística para controlar confusão ou modificação de efeito para as outras variáveis sobre as associações de interesse. Resultado e Discussão: A queixa de zumbido foi verificada em 50% dos idosos com história de exposição ao ruído ocupacional e em 40,43% dos idosos sem história de exposição ao ruído ocupacional. Uma alta frequência de queixa de zumbido foi detectada na população sob investigação, porém não houve significativa diferença estatística entre a queixa de zumbido e história de ruído ocupacional. Conclusão: O resultado desta pesquisa pode ter ocorrido devido à existência de outros fatores que podem ter contribuído para a presença de zumbido, como a própria idade, nos indivíduos sem história de exposição ao ruído ocupacional. Palavras-chave: zumbido, ruído ocupacional, idoso. Int. Arch. Otorhinolaryngol., São Paulo - Brazil, v.16, n.2, p. 222-225, Apr/May/June - 2012. 222 Prevalence of tinnitus in elderly individuals with and without history of occupational noise exposure. Melo et al. The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence of tinnitus in elderly individuals with and without history of occupational noise exposure. INTRODUCTION Patients with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) frequently have several symptoms such as tinnitus, vertigo, gradual decreases or distortions in hearing, and alterations in speech comprehension. NIHL is irreversible and permanent; however, it is preventable with the use of hearing protectors during noise exposure. The magnitude of hearing loss that results from excessive exposure to noise depends on factors that are associated with the exposure, including sound pressure level, duration, type of noise, and frequency, and the characteristics of the individual being exposed, including susceptibility to NIHL, age, and prior history of hearing damage (1-4). DIAS et al. evaluated 284 workers and found an NIHL prevalence of approximately 63% and that of tinnitus was approximately 48%; this study reported an association between noise-induced hearing loss and occupational noise (5). OGIDO et al. previously reported that tinnitus was present in 80.81% of the population, and concluded that auditory dysfunction is frequent and that research and evaluation of hearing disorders using surveys of workers that were exposed to occupational noise is critical, as symptoms such as tinnitus can cause distress and negatively affect the quality of life of workers (6). In addition to occupational exposure, hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness have been associated with smoking, hypertension, diabetes, aging, health history, and leisure activities, and the incidence of ear symptoms appears to be correlated with noise exposure throughout life (1-3,7-9). Presbycusis, which the third most common chronic condition that is reported by the elderly, can be defined as hearing loss associated with aging, thus reflecting the loss of auditory sensitivity associated with advanced aging. The typical audiometric profile observed clinically in presbycusis is symmetrical bilateral sensorineural highfrequency hearing loss that progresses with age, and the associated buzzing sound is a highly prevelant symptom that has a high impact on the quality of life of the elder patient (10-12). A study by FERREIRA et al. (12) observed that tinnitus was a cause of intense dissatisfaction in elderly patients, as it impaired their daily activities and resulted in emotional and sleep disorders. This study found a correlation between the presence of hypertension in patients and tinnitus; however, a correlation between the degree of hearing loss and the level of audiometric discomfort that is felt by the patient has not been established. METHOD This cross-sectional study was carried out at Universidade Norte of Paraná (UNOPA (...truncated)