Vestivular function evaluation in subjects with noise induced hearing loss

Abstract EN

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of noise on the vt .bular system in subjects with noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) and to detect any possible correlation between vestibular disorders and the degree of hearing loss.

This study was conducted at the noisy departments of Assiut university hospital including the diesel, laundry, boilers, air conditioners and the oxygen preparation unit Audiqlogical and vestibular evaluation were conducted in 70 subjects, 50 subjects with NIHL in the study group and 20 subjects in the control group.

The study showed significant deterioration in hearing of noise exposed subjects when compared to the control subjects especially at 4 kHz.There was a highly significant positive correlation between the duration of noise exposure and hearing threshold.

There was a significant positive correlation between the duration of noise exposure and vestibular affection.The study revealed a positive correlation between the severity of hearing loss and the degree of vestibular affection.

So exposure to noise is particularly hazardous to inner ear structure causing hearing loss and vestibular disorders and the diagnosis of vestibular malfunction related to NIHL may be of clinical significance beside its medicolegal aspect.