Cross-sectional Study: Noise-induced Hearing Loss in Ecuadorian Military Aviation Personnel
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18667/cienciaypoderaereo.688Keywords:
Noise pollution, hearing loss, aircraft maintenance, aeronautical noise, occupational safety and health, industrial SecurityAbstract
Hearing loss holds an important place among chronic health conditions in North American countries, surpassing diabetes and cancer. Therefore, for decades, the Armed Forces in these nations began detailed studies in order to implement adequate preventive measures. However, military aviation has the peculiarity that the main sources of noise are aircraft themselves. With that being said, this research seeks to correlate hearing loss with the variables age, activity, and rank within military aviation by analyzing audiometry reports of 73 members of the Ecuadorian aviation, and later verifying their current status regarding frequency hearing thresholds. Our results show that the biggest number of affected individuals correspond to male personnel aged 30-44. However, the variability of hearing loss levels did not signal a direct relationship between this condition and an increase in age, service time, activity and type of aircraft, or the rank held by participants. Hence, it is not possible to assert that, in the case of the studied institution, hearing loss is produced exclusively by working conditions, but rather by individuals’ clinical history. Consequently, there is evidence of an effective preventive program and adequate mitigation measures in occupational health and safety. Despite this, it is essential to carry out additional in-depth studies in airbases where combat and rotary-wing aircraft are deployed.
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