Auditory fatigue among call dispatchers working with headsets
Journal Title: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health - Year 2018, Vol 31, Issue 2
Abstract
Objectives: To determine whether call center dispatchers wearing headsets are subject to auditory fatigue at the end of a work shift. Material and Methods: Data was gathered at times when call centers were busiest. All call operators wore a headset for up to 12 h. Acoustic environment and noise exposure under the headset were continuously recorded during the entire work shift. Variations in auditory parameters were assessed using pure-tone air-conduction audiometry and an objective test based on distortion product otoacoustic emissions – contralateral suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) amplitudes (EchoScan test). Thirty-nine operators and 16 controls, all volunteers, were selected from 3 call centers (sales, assistance, and emergency) where all cognitive tasks were accomplished by phone and on computers. Results: No acoustic shock was detected during the investigation. The highest normalized noise exposure (daily noise exposure level – LEX,8 h) measured was 75.5 dBA. No significant variation in auditory performances was detected with either pure-tone air-conduction audiometry or the EchoScan test. Nevertheless, dispatchers expressed a feeling of tiredness. Conclusions: For an equivalent diffuse field noise exposure, the use of a headset does not seem to worsen auditory fatigue for call center operators. The dispatcher’s fatigue was probably due to the duration of the work shift or to the tasks they performed rather than to the noise exposure under a headset. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(2):217–226
Authors and Affiliations
Thomas Venet, Ayoub Bey, Pierre Campo, Joël Ducourneau, Quentin Mifsud, Charles Hoffmann, Aurélie Thomas, Marc Mouzé-Amady, Cécile Parietti-Winkler
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP272587
- DOI 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01131
- Views 88
- Downloads 0
Cranioplasty as the return-to-work factor – 112 patients with cranial defects treated in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Medical University of Lodz
Objectives: The number of craniectomies and the consequent reconstructive procedures has grown during the past decades. Cranial defects and methods of their repair could have some influence on work capability of the pati...
Authors’ response (August 21, 2017) to the letter to the Editor concerning the paper “Mortality for chronic-degenerative diseases in Tuscany: Ecological study comparing neighboring areas with substantial difference in environmental pollution”
Refers to: Chellini E, Martini A, Giovannetti L, Barchielli A. Letter to the Editor (July 28, 2017) concerning the paper “Mortality for chronic-degenerative diseases in Tuscany: Ecological study comparing neighboring are...
Deteriorations of pulmonary function, elevated carbon monoxide levels and increased oxidative stress amongst water-pipe smokers
Objectives: A water pipe (hookah) is a tobacco smoking tool which is thought to be more harmless than a cigarette, and there are no adequate studies about its hazards to health. Water-pipe smoking is threatening health o...
Socio-demographic predictors of person–organization fit
Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and the level of complementary and supplementary person–organization fit (P–O fit). Material and Methods: The st...
How job and family demands impact change in perceived stress: A dyadic study
Objectives: The aim of this two-wave study has been to test the spillover and crossover of job and family demands on changes in perceived stress at work and in the family. Specifically, we proposed that demands from one...