Noise exposure in gold miners : utilising audiogram configuration to determine hearing handicap

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between the audiogram configuration and its calculated Percentage Loss of Hearing (PLH), and the experience of hearing handicap in noise-exposed gold miners. The latter was measured using a translated Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults. NIHL audiograms were categorised into five different patterns based on their configurations. A contingency table of the audiograms, the PLH and measures of hearing handicap was constructed. All participants, no matter what their audiogram configurations and degree of hearing loss as measured by the PLH, experienced significant handicap as a result of their hearing loss, including the group where most of the audiogram thresholds were within normal limits. The study highlights the need for awareness of appropriate rehabilitation and counselling in this population and offers a model for quantifying the effects of NIHL that takes into account the effect of the hearing loss on the quality of life as well as the audiological results.