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.com
Volume 7, Issue 5 (Suppl)
Otolaryngol
ISSN: 2161-119X Otolaryngol, an open access journal
Otolaryngology 2017
October 18-19, 2017
October 18-19, 2017 Dubai, UAE
4
th
International Conference on
Rhinology and Otology
Prevalence of tinnitus with correlation to the usage of protective hearing equipment among airport
workers
Ibrahim Alnajashi
King Saud University, KSA
Introduction & Aim:
Epidemiological studies have shown that tinnitus and occupational hearing loss are common symptoms
in the working population. Only few studies have assessed the aforementioned symptoms in this population, none of which
have assessed airport eld workers, thus the need for our study.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among airport eld workers at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh.
e sample size was calculated to be 380. Each was asked to ll a self-administered questionnaire and undergo pure tone
audiometry to assess hearing level. e questionnaire assessed the participants' demographics, usage of protective hearing
equipment (PHE) as well as prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus if present.
Results:
Of all eld workers, 300 (78%) have agreed to participate in the study. A number of 180 (60%) participants believe
that PHE prevents noise-related hearing loss. Of all participants, 114 (38%) of workers use PHE. No association was found
between the participants’ believe regarding PHE bene ts and their usage of the equipment (P=0.473). Tinnitus was reported
by 81 (27%) of the whole sample. Most of the participants 171 (57%) were found to have hearing impairment (>25 dB HL) at
low frequencies (0.5, 1.2 kHz), in comparison to 144 (48%) at high frequencies (4 and 8 kHz).
Conclusion:
Even with relatively good knowledge about the importance of PHE, only few workers actually use them. us,
frequent audiometric screening tests as well as enforcement of PHE usage by airport eld workers needs to be introduced by
the airport administrations.
Biography
Ibrahim Alnajashi is currently a Medical student of Ear, Nose and Throat Department at King Saud University, KSA.
inajashi@hotmail.comIbrahim Alnajashi, Otolaryngol 2017, 7:5 (Suppl)
DOI: 10.4172/2161-119X-C1-022