Occupational Medicine & Health Affairs
Open Access

Abstract

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of presbycusis in the workplace among employees over 45 years - not exposed to noise - from individual SMEs, SMIs in our region. Secondly, identification of environmental factors such as noise, solvents, lifestyle, socio-economic level, and associated pathologies (diabetes and hypertension). Method: Data were collected using a questionnaire during the first half of 2013, in the research laboratory environment and health. An ear, nose and throat examination and pure tone audiometry were performed systematically. The support of the survey is an anonymous questionnaire with sociodemographic data, professional, personal (medical history) and data on hearing and their psychosocial impact by ?hearing handicap inventory for the elderly-screening? 10 items and classified into three stages of severity. Results: 257 employees were included. Nearly one of two employees (p=49%) had a hearing problem. The remark by the environment (47%) and disorders of intelligibility (61%) were most reported. The prevalence of presbycusiswas 23%. Light to moderate disability among employees with presbycusis was 15%. Conclusion: Hearing screening followed by early treatment (treatment by bilateral prosthesis audio) can prevent socioprofessional consequences.

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