Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Danish Brewery Workers

Abstract

An original computer-fitted diagnosis system for registration of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is presented and compared with the tested persons' subjective hardness of hearing. Among 6 904 brewery workers it was found that people below 40 years only contract little NIHL during the first 5 years of noise exposure. The NIHL after more than 5 years of noise exposure is of the same magnitude as the hearing loss resulting from 10-20 years of age. The NIHL in older age groups was of a minor degree. Permanent use of hearing protectors was associated with good hearing, but the data suggest that good hearing might be the cause and not the effect of the use of hearing protection.