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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 Nov-Dec;42(6):1472-1484.
doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001060.

Occupational Hearing Loss Associated With Non-Gaussian Noise: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Zhihao Shi  1 , Jiena Zhou  2 , Yuwen Huang  3 , Yong Hu  2 , Lifang Zhou  2 , Yongqiang Shao  4 , Meibian Zhang  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Occupational Hearing Loss Associated With Non-Gaussian Noise: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Zhihao Shi et al. Ear Hear. 2021 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: Epidemiological characteristics of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) associated with non-Gaussian noise are still unclear and have been rarely reported in the literature.

Methods: The relationships between non-Gaussian noise exposure and occupational NIHL were analyzed based on the published papers. Systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies were performed.

Results: Of 78 epidemiological studies (47,814 workers) selected, there were seven cohort studies and 71 cross-sectional studies. The incidence of high-frequency NIHL (HFNIHL) and speech-frequency NIHL (SFNIHL) in the seven cohort studies was 10.9 and 2.9%, respectively. In 71 cross-sectional studies, the prevalence of HFNIHL and SFNIHL was 34.2 and 18.9%, respectively. The average hearing threshold level at the high frequencies was 42.1 ± 17.4 dB HL. Workers exposed to non-Gaussian noise had a higher risk of developing HFNIHL than those not exposed to noise (overall-weighted odds ratio [OR] = 4.46) or those exposed to Gaussian noise (overall-weighted OR = 2.20). The Chi-square trend test demonstrated that the prevalence of HFNIHL was positively correlated with age, cumulative noise exposure, and exposure duration (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Workers exposed to non-Gaussian noise suffered from greater NIHL than those exposed to Gaussian noise or not exposed to noise. Age, exposure duration, noise level, and noise temporal structure were the main risk factors for occupational NIHL. The A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq) is not a sufficient measurement metric for quantifying non-Gaussian noise exposure, and a combination of kurtosis and noise energy metrics (e.g., LAeq) should be used. It is necessary to reduce the exposure of non-Gaussian noise to protect the hearing health of workers.

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Conflict of interest statement

This research was funded by the Zhejiang Provincial Key Research and Development Project (2015C03039); the Zhejiang Provincial Program for the Cultivation of High-Level Innovative Health Talents, Zhejiang Province, China; and the Health Commission of Zhejiang Province (2019KY057). There are no conflicts of interest, financial, or otherwise.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
The forest plot of meta-analysis for the overall-weighted OR value of HFNIHL in the non-Gaussian noise-exposed group with the non-noise exposure group as the control in each study. HFNIHL indicates high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss; OR, odds ratio.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
The forest plot of meta-analysis for the overall-weighted OR value of SFNIHL in the non-Gaussian noise-exposed group with the non-noise exposure group as the control in each study. OR indicates odds ratio; SFNIHL, speech-frequency noise-induced hearing loss.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
The forest plot of meta-analysis for the overall-weighted OR value of HFNIHL in the non-Gaussian noise-exposed group with the Gaussian noise-exposed group as the control in each study. HFNIHL indicates high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss; OR, odds ratio.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
The forest plot of meta-analysis for the overall-weighted OR value of SFNIHL in the non-Gaussian noise-exposed group with the Gaussian noise-exposed group as the control in each study. OR indicates odds ratio; SFNIHL, speech-frequency noise-induced hearing loss.
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