Estimation of noise induced hearing loss NIHL) with hearing deterioration index (HDI)

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the article written by Balaji et al., entitled “Hearing Impairment and High Blood Pressure among Bus Drivers in Puducherry” [1]. Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is common among vehicle drivers and research in this area is much relevant. In this interesting...

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Main Authors:	Zakaria, Mohd Normani, Ismail, Noraidah, Abdul Wahab3, Noor Alaudin
Format:	Article
Language:	English
Published:	JCDR Research and Publications (P) Limited. 2016
Subjects:	Q Science (General)
Online Access:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/55449/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/55449/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/55449/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/55449/1/Articles%20NIHL%20Estimation%202016.pdf

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spelling	iium-554492018-06-11T02:53:57Z http://irep.iium.edu.my/55449/ Estimation of noise induced hearing loss NIHL) with hearing deterioration index (HDI) Zakaria, Mohd Normani Ismail, Noraidah Abdul Wahab3, Noor Alaudin Q Science (General) Dear Editor, We read with great interest the article written by Balaji et al., entitled “Hearing Impairment and High Blood Pressure among Bus Drivers in Puducherry” [1]. Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is common among vehicle drivers and research in this area is much relevant. In this interesting study, the authors had utilized Hearing Deterioration Index (HDI) as an indirect method for assessing NIHL. In the literature, not many NIHL studies have adopted this method (particularly for determining hearing impairment among noise exposed workers) and the authors should be commended for their effort. Nevertheless, we wish to highlight some issue that might be worthy of consideration. Since HDI is an indirect method for assessing NIHL, perhaps the sentence “at risk of developing NIHL” is preferable to be used. Even though HDI was formulated using large retrospective samples and logical assumptions [2], hearing impairment among noise exposed workers can only be confirmed by a known clinical hearing test, i.e., Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA). The direct measurement of hearing status is always beneficial as some individuals are more susceptible to acquire NIHL than others when exposed to similar acoustical environments. This individual susceptibility issue has been acknowledged and reported in the literature. Apart from the environmental factors (e.g. noise level,exposure duration, years of working etc.), individual susceptibility to noise damage is also contributed by biological factors including age, gender, race, eye color, degree of hearing loss, ear laterality and genetic [3,4]. Even though NIHL typically shows a symmetrical pattern in noise-exposed workers, the left ear can be more vulnerable to hearing damage than the right ear in some individuals [3]. By utilizing PTA, left and right ear information can be obtained separately in a convenient manner. More recently, a well-controlled genetic study has identified a key gene for susceptibility to NIHL [4]. This further supports the notion that some individuals are more genetically susceptible to noise damage than others. Notwithstanding, we agree with the authors that PTA is not easily accessible and an optimum testing environment (e.g., sound proof room or booth) is required for conducting PTA. In this regard, if a similar study to be expanded in future, perhaps a simpler hearing test such as Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) can be considered for screening NIHL. OAE is a rapid objective test that has been used widely for hearing screening. In fact, OAE can be reliably conducted even in less optimum testing conditions (i.e., background noise levels of up to 70dBA) [5].More studies are warranted to further explore the potential use of HDI in NIHL testing. For example, studies on determining the correlation between HDI and hearing tests (PTA and/or OAE) should be conducted to justify the usefulness of HDI as an indirect screening method for NIHL. Finally, we fully agree with the authors that awareness and preventive programmes are required for reducing the occurrence of NIHL among the drivers. In fact, the HDI values can also be considered when developing guidelines in the NIHL preventive programmes JCDR Research and Publications (P) Limited. 2016 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://irep.iium.edu.my/55449/1/Articles%20NIHL%20Estimation%202016.pdf Zakaria, Mohd Normani and Ismail, Noraidah and Abdul Wahab3, Noor Alaudin (2016) Estimation of noise induced hearing loss NIHL) with hearing deterioration index (HDI). Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Researc, 10 (8). p. 1. ISSN 0973-709X http://www.jcdr.net/article_abstract.asp?id=8292 10.7860/JCDR/2016/19658.8292
repository_type	Digital Repository
institution_category	Local University
institution	International Islamic University Malaysia
building	IIUM Repository
collection	Online Access
language	English
topic	Q Science (General)
spellingShingle	Q Science (General) Zakaria, Mohd Normani Ismail, Noraidah Abdul Wahab3, Noor Alaudin Estimation of noise induced hearing loss NIHL) with hearing deterioration index (HDI)
description	Dear Editor, We read with great interest the article written by Balaji et al., entitled “Hearing Impairment and High Blood Pressure among Bus Drivers in Puducherry” [1]. Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is common among vehicle drivers and research in this area is much relevant. In this interesting study, the authors had utilized Hearing Deterioration Index (HDI) as an indirect method for assessing NIHL. In the literature, not many NIHL studies have adopted this method (particularly for determining hearing impairment among noise exposed workers) and the authors should be commended for their effort. Nevertheless, we wish to highlight some issue that might be worthy of consideration. Since HDI is an indirect method for assessing NIHL, perhaps the sentence “at risk of developing NIHL” is preferable to be used. Even though HDI was formulated using large retrospective samples and logical assumptions [2], hearing impairment among noise exposed workers can only be confirmed by a known clinical hearing test, i.e., Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA). The direct measurement of hearing status is always beneficial as some individuals are more susceptible to acquire NIHL than others when exposed to similar acoustical environments. This individual susceptibility issue has been acknowledged and reported in the literature. Apart from the environmental factors (e.g. noise level,exposure duration, years of working etc.), individual susceptibility to noise damage is also contributed by biological factors including age, gender, race, eye color, degree of hearing loss, ear laterality and genetic [3,4]. Even though NIHL typically shows a symmetrical pattern in noise-exposed workers, the left ear can be more vulnerable to hearing damage than the right ear in some individuals [3]. By utilizing PTA, left and right ear information can be obtained separately in a convenient manner. More recently, a well-controlled genetic study has identified a key gene for susceptibility to NIHL [4]. This further supports the notion that some individuals are more genetically susceptible to noise damage than others. Notwithstanding, we agree with the authors that PTA is not easily accessible and an optimum testing environment (e.g., sound proof room or booth) is required for conducting PTA. In this regard, if a similar study to be expanded in future, perhaps a simpler hearing test such as Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) can be considered for screening NIHL. OAE is a rapid objective test that has been used widely for hearing screening. In fact, OAE can be reliably conducted even in less optimum testing conditions (i.e., background noise levels of up to 70dBA) [5].More studies are warranted to further explore the potential use of HDI in NIHL testing. For example, studies on determining the correlation between HDI and hearing tests (PTA and/or OAE) should be conducted to justify the usefulness of HDI as an indirect screening method for NIHL. Finally, we fully agree with the authors that awareness and preventive programmes are required for reducing the occurrence of NIHL among the drivers. In fact, the HDI values can also be considered when developing guidelines in the NIHL preventive programmes
format	Article
author	Zakaria, Mohd Normani Ismail, Noraidah Abdul Wahab3, Noor Alaudin
author_facet	Zakaria, Mohd Normani Ismail, Noraidah Abdul Wahab3, Noor Alaudin
author_sort	Zakaria, Mohd Normani
title	Estimation of noise induced hearing loss NIHL) with hearing deterioration index (HDI)
title_short	Estimation of noise induced hearing loss NIHL) with hearing deterioration index (HDI)
title_full	Estimation of noise induced hearing loss NIHL) with hearing deterioration index (HDI)
title_fullStr	Estimation of noise induced hearing loss NIHL) with hearing deterioration index (HDI)
title_full_unstemmed	Estimation of noise induced hearing loss NIHL) with hearing deterioration index (HDI)
title_sort	estimation of noise induced hearing loss nihl) with hearing deterioration index (hdi)
publisher	JCDR Research and Publications (P) Limited.
publishDate	2016
url	http://irep.iium.edu.my/55449/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/55449/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/55449/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/55449/1/Articles%20NIHL%20Estimation%202016.pdf
first_indexed	2023-09-18T21:18:21Z
last_indexed	2023-09-18T21:18:21Z
_version_	1777411714533294080

Estimation of noise induced hearing loss NIHL) with hearing deterioration index (HDI)

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