Effect of vibration on the vestibular system in noisy and noise-free environments in heavy industry

Abstract

Background: Chronic exposure to whole body vibration can affect the gastrointestinal system, the lumbar spine, the peripheral veins and the vestibulocochlear system.

Aims/Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vibration on the vestibular system in noisy and noise-free environments using the video head impulse test (vHIT).

Material and Methods: A total of 138 employees were included in this study. Group 1 were exposed to vibration and noise. Group 2 only exposed to vibration, with no exposure to noise. Group 3 were not exposed to noise or vibration.

Results: Canal deficit was observed in 41 of 84 participants in Group 1, 7 of 24 participants in Group 2, and 1 of 30 participants in Group 3. There were more canal deficits in Group 1 and Group 2, than in Group 3 (p < .05). There was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 in terms of canal deficits (p > 0.05).

Conclusions and Significance: Semicircular canal deficit can be seen with the synergistic effect of noise and vibration.

Chinese abstract

背景：长期经受全身振动会影响胃肠系统、腰椎、外周静脉和前庭蜗膜系统。

目的：本研究的目的是使用视频头冲击试验（vHIT）评估振动对噪声和无噪声环境中前庭系统的影响。

材料和方法：本研究共纳入138名员工。第1组暴露于振动和噪音。第2组仅暴露于振动, 不接触噪音。第3组未暴露于噪音或振动。

结果：第1组84名参与者中有41名, 第2组24名参与者中有7名, 第3组30名参与者中有1名观察到半规管缺损。第1组和第2组的半规管缺损多于第3组（p < 0.05）。在半规管缺损方面, 第1组和第2组之间没有显著差异（p > 0.05）。

结论和意义：在噪声和振动的协同作用下可观察到半规管缺损。

Keywords:

• Vibration
• the video head impulse test
• noise-induced hearing loss
• peripheral vestibular disorder

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Environmental Engineer Askin Kotan for measuring the values of vibration and noise exposure.