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. 2007 Mar-Apr;73(2):239-44.
doi: 10.1016/s1808-8694(15)31072-7.

Occupational hearing loss in teachers: a probable diagnosis

Regina Helena Garcia Martins  1 , Elaine Lara Mendes Tavares, Arlindo C Lima Neto, Marisa P Fioravanti
Affiliations

Occupational hearing loss in teachers: a probable diagnosis

Regina Helena Garcia Martins et al. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2007 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Teachers frequently report auditory symptoms and excessive noise in classrooms, but noise level measurements are not done routinely. Study model - a prospective clinical trial.

Aim: To study auditory symptoms and audiometric exams of teachers and classroom noise levels.

Material and method: Data from two groups, GI (40 teachers) and GII (40 voluntaries) were studied as follows: age, gender, working conditions, audiometric exams, and classroom noise levels.

Results: In GI there were more females (86%), working in basic teaching (75%), in classes with 21-40 students (70%), with workloads between 26 and 40 hours per week (47%), and variable professional teaching time. Most teachers in GI reported excessive classroom noise (93.5%) and auditory symptoms (65%). In GI, 25% of teachers presented audiometric alterations (versus 10% of controls), with an acoustic notch predominating (11.25%; p<0.05). Noise levels close to 87dBA were recorded in classes at all teaching levels.

Conclusions: occupational hearing loss may occur in teachers. Further studies are needed to confirm this proposition.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of teachers according to duration of professional work.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Results of audiometric exams of teachers (GI).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Results of audiometric exams of volunteers (GII).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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