Assessment of temporary hearing changes related to work as a bartender
Journal Title: Medycyna Pracy - Year 2019, Vol 70, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Noise in entertainment industry often reaches high sound pressure levels. Nevertheless, the risk of hearing loss in this sector is insufficiently recognized. The aim of this study was the assessment of the relationship between noise exposure and temporary threshold shifts (TTS) for people working as bartenders at a variety of entertainment venues. Material and Methods: The study comprised a total of 18 bartenders (mean age was 25±7 years old) employed at a music club (N = 8), pub (N = 5) and discotheque (N = 5). Personal dosimeters were used for determining noise levels and frequency characteristics. Hearing was evaluated by pre- (before work) and post-exposure (up to 15 min after the end of work) pure tone audiometry. Hearing tests were carried out for bartenders during 2 or 3 sessions while working on weekends. Results: The mean personal noise exposure level normalized to a nominal 8-hour working day was 95 dBA, above 4 times higher than the accepted legal limit. The TTS values (10 dB HL or more) were significant at 4 kHz for both ears for 77% of bartenders. Conclusions: People working as bartenders represent a professional group with an increased risk of hearing loss. Raising awareness of this fact and implementing hearing protection programs in this group of workers is urgently needed, in line with the European Commission Directive (EU Directive 2003/10/EC). Med Pr. 2019;70(1):17–25
Authors and Affiliations
Anna Wolniakowska, Kamil Zaborowski, Adam Dudarewicz, Małgorzata Pawlaczyk-Łuszczyńska, Mariola Śliwińska-Kowalska
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP478031
- DOI 10.13075/mp.5893.00734
- Views 163
- Downloads 0
CHOROBY ZAWODOWE STWIERDZONE W POLSCE W 2012 r.
Importance of dental care to maintain oral health of children and youth with type 1 diabetes
Background: Dental care for children and youth with type 1 diabetes should rely on reliable examination of the oral cavity, early treatment of dental caries and maintenance of the treatment results. This can be achieved...
Ultraviolet exposure from indoor tanning devices as a potential source of health risks: Basic knowledge of the proper use of these devices for practical users, physicians and solarium staff
Bearing in mind the adverse health effects of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in solarium, especially the risk of carcinogenesis, there is a need to adopt legal regulations by relevant Polish authorities. They sho...
Mitigation measures of electromagnetic field exposure in the vicinity of high frequency welders
Background: Presented information about the welding process and equipment, focusing on the emission of electromagnetic field (EMF) with levels significant in terms of the labor safety regulations in force in Poland – the...
1,4-diaminobenzene and diphenylamine-induced severe methemoglobinaemia treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy – Case report
Methemoglobin is an oxidized form of hemoglobin that is not capable of carrying oxygen. Exposure to exogenous oxidizing agents can cause severe methemoglobinemia and subsequent hypoxia. This article presents the rare cas...