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Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Dr. Vishal Sharma Topic of discussion
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Definitions Noise = wrong sound, in wrong place, at wrong time (Park & Park) Acoustic Trauma = sudden, permanent sensori-neural deafness due to single exposure to an intense sound ( dB) of < 0.2 sec Chronic Noise Induced Hearing Loss = gradual SNHL due to years of exposure to noise
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History Ramazzini (1713): reported NIHL in copper workers
NIHL recognized in US, Germany & UK in 1870s Thomas Barr of Glasgow (1886): did first survey Habermann (1890): histology of NIHL in cochlea Fowler (1929): first to comment on 4 kHz dip Bunch (1939): audiometric features of NIHL
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Epidemiology 30 million adults in United States are exposed to hazardous occupational sound levels (National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, 2000). Among these 30 million, 1 in 4 will acquire a permanent hearing loss (American Academy of Audiology, 2003). 50 % of male miners have hearing loss by age of 50 & 70 % by age of 60 (NIOSH, 2001).
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Classification of noise
A. Based on duration: B. Frequency based: 1. Continuous: cotton spinning High: sawing 2. Interrupted: traffic Low: grinder 3. Transient (< 0.2 sec) White noise: boiler a. Impulse: explosion b. Impact: metal to metal collision
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Sources of noise Industrial noise Road traffic noise
Aircrafts & Railways noise Entertainment noise: clubs, discos Residential noise: alarms, music systems, home theatre, air conditioners, generators Personal noise: personal stereos, mobile phones Firearms & bomb blast noise
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Common Occupational Noise
Agriculture Mining Construction Manufacturing Public Utilities Transportation Military
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Factory boilers / trains
Volcano eruption 190 dB Jet plane dB Thunder 120 dB Factory boilers / trains 110 dB Cars & bikes 90 dB Loud radio music 85 dB Grand piano Children crying 80 dB Loud conversation 70 dB Dog barking
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Sound Thermometer
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Clinical Features of N.I.H.L.
Similar to early ototoxicity & presbycusis Early NIHL limited to high frequency: no symptom First symptom: trouble in speech comprehension with loud background noise As NIHL progresses, patients have difficulty in understanding high-pitched voices (women & children) even in quiet conversational situations
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Clinical Features Telephonic conversation is unimpaired because telephones don’t use frequencies > 3000 Hz Many patients experience tinnitus & hyperacusis Post-exposure tinnitus & temporary deafness are warning signs of impending permanent NIHL
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Impact of noise on children
Household noise retards cognitive development of children b/w 7-24 months. Brains of children cope with loud noise by sound filtering which also includes human speech. This leads to retardation of intellectual skills. Foetus also may suffer from effects of noise.
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Characteristics of chronic NIHL (Dobie, 1990)
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Always sensorineural, symmetric & bilateral.
Greater SNHL present at 3, 4, & 6 kHz, with recovery at 8 kHz ***. Usually greatest at 4 kHz. ***Presbyacusis has no recovery at 8 kHz Isolated NIHL is never > 75 dB in high frequencies or > 40 dB in lower frequencies. Rate of hearing loss in chronic NIHL is greatest during first years of exposure & decreases later as hearing worsens. Hearing loss does not progress after noise exposure is discontinued.
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Commonest cause of asymmetric NIHL is exposure to firearms
Commonest cause of asymmetric NIHL is exposure to firearms. Right-handed shooters have more severe left ear deafness (left ear faces barrel while right ear is in acoustic shadow of head). Similarly, Tractor operators look over their right shoulder, exposing their left ear to noise of prime mover + exhaust & their right ear gets shielded.
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Acoustic head shadow
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Auditory Effects of Noise
Per-stimulation fatigue or Adaptation: Noise exposure of > 90 dB elevates hearing threshold temporarily, especially at 4 kHz Post-stimulatory fatigue: Temporary Threshold Shift (reversible) Permanent Threshold Shift (irreversible)
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Temporary Threshold Shift
Exposure to loud noise for seconds to hours may cause SNHL that recovers within hours. Magnitude of TTS depends on: More intense sounds lead to larger shifts. Speech frequencies ( Hz) are most susceptible to TTS. Interrupted exposures cause less TTS than continuous exposures.
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Permanent Threshold Shift
Repeated TTS over weeks, months & years fail to recover completely & become noise-induced permanent threshold shift (NIPTS) NIPTS is measured by subtracting amount of hearing loss to be expected due to aging from hearing threshold level Amount of NIPTS & frequencies involved depend primarily on same parameters, as for TTS
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Calculation of N.I.P.T.S.
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Age related hearing loss
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Progress of N.I.P.T.S.
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Progress of N.I.P.T.S.
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Male vs. female N.I.P.T.S.
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Non-auditory effects of noise
Insomnia Anxiety & nervousness Coronary heart disease Lack of concentration Fatigue Irritability & impatience Indigestion Peptic ulcer Speech interference Hypertension ed heart rate ed intra-cranial tension ed breathing rate ed sweating ed color perception ed night vision
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Factors influencing N.I.H.L.
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1. Frequency: noise b/w 2-3 kHz more damage
2. Intensity & duration of exposure: noise > 85 dBA for 8 hr time weighted average is unsafe 3. Intermittence: intermittent noise with quiet intervals is safer than steady noise 4. Age: children & elderly are more prone to NIHL Presbyacusis has additive effect not synergistic. 5. Sex: males are more prone than females to NIHL
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6. Individual Susceptibility: Tender ears are more prone to NIHL than tough ears due to difference in: Genetic: Ahl gene E.A.C. skin elasticity area ratio of TM:stapes mass of ossicles tension of stapedius outer hair cell density basilar membrane stiffness cochlear vascularity endolymph composition psychological
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7. Experience: Green ears have bigger NIPTS than those exposed to noise before (ripe ears). NIPTS can be reduced by adding prior exposure at lower levels (toughening or conditioning of ear). 8. Conductive deafness: gives protection (?) against NIHL as less sound gets conducted to inner ear 9. Ototoxic drugs: enhance NIHL
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10. Vibration: Raynaud phenomenon es NIHL
11. Absent Stapedial reflex: es NIHL for lower frequency 12. Melanization: Albinos are more prone to NIHL 13. Diabetes mellitus, Hyper-cholesterolemia, Cardiovascular disease: increase risk of NIHL (?) 14. Smoking: increase risk of NIHL (?) 15. Deep sea divers: are more prone to NIHL
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Patho-physiology NIHL damage is explained by: Macro-mechanical theory
Micro-mechanical theory: produced by high intensities Biochemical theory: produced by moderate intensities
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Macro-mechanical theory
Traveling sound wave produces movement of basilar membrane Central part of basilar membrane undergoes maximum rocking vibration. This part houses outer hair cells (especially inner row) hence they are subjected to maximum damage.
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Organ of Corti
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Micro-mechanical Damage
Temporary Threshold Shift: moderate swelling of hair cells + shortening of rootlets of hair cells + small vacuoles in supporting cells Permanent Threshold Shift: marked swelling of hair cells + fracture of rootlets of hair cells + large vacuoles in supporting cells + damage to outer hair cells + damage to inner hair cells
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Biochemical Damage Micro-mechanical damage causes interruption of normal chemical gradient of cochlea which leads to ionic poisoning Noise activity induced vaso-constriction leads to cochlear ischaemia Metabolic exhaustion of activated hair cells
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Investigations A. Diagnostic B. Research only
1. Subjective Low power Microscopy Pure Tone Audiogram Electron Microscopy 2. Objective Cyto-cochleogram Oto-acoustic emissions Cortical Evoked Response Audiometry Multiple Auditory Steady-state Evoked Response
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Audiogram in Acoustic Trauma
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Audiogram in Chronic N.I.H.L.
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4 kHz (Boilermaker’s) notch, C5 dip
characteristic audiometric pattern of early NIHL. If exposure is continued, notch gradually deepens & widens. 4 kHz notch also seen in head injury, barotrauma or even in absence of any explanatory history.
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Reasons for 4 kHz notch Natural resonance of EAC being 2-3 kHz, 150% of this produces maximum damage between 3-5 kHz Protective effect of acoustic reflex below 2 kHz Intermittent noise is more damaging for 3-5 kHz Outer hair cells of 3-5 kHz region are more prone to oxidative stress, have reduced vascularity (?) & ed oxygen consumption (?)
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Acoustic gain: middle ear & pinna
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Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
Spontaneous OAE: Sounds emitted without stimulus. Presence indicates hearing < 25 dB HL. Transient evoked OAE: Sounds emitted in response to short duration click stimulus. Presence = < 35 dB HL Distortion product OAE: Sounds emitted in response to 2 tones of different frequency & intensity. Presence = < 50 dB HL. Good for higher frequencies.
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Normal Transient evoked OAE
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Normal Transient evoked OAE
Reproducibility should be > 75 %
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Early detection of N.I.H.L.
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Early stage N.I.H.L.
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Advanced stage N.I.H.L.
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Malingering of N.I.H.L.
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Auditory Evoked Potentials
Auditory Brainstem Response: ms post stimulus; originates in 8th cranial nerve (waves I & II) up to lateral lemniscus & inferior colliculus (wave V) Middle Latency Response (MLR): ms post stimulus; arises in upper brainstem & auditory cortex Slow Cortical Response: ms post stimulus; originating in auditory cortex
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Auditory Evoked Potentials
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Cortical Evoked Response Audiometry (CERA) or P1-N1-P2 response
good specificity over speech frequency range recorded from higher auditory level than BERA, so less subject to organic neurological disorders CERA must be done to evaluate accurate hearing threshold in pt with flat audiogram & hearing threshold of > 25 dB at 500 Hz
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Multiple Auditory Steady-state Evoked Response audiometry
Are responses to rapid stimuli where brain response to one stimulus overlaps with responses to other stimuli Gives rapid, frequency specific & objective hearing assessment by giving 4 continuous tones to each ear Slow rate responses (<20 Hz) arise in cortex & faster rate responses (>70 Hz) originate in brainstem
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Multiple Auditory Steady-state Evoked Response audiometry
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Photo-micrograph of Cochlea
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Scanning electron micrographs
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Cyto-cochleogram
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Noise Exposure Evaluation
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Definitions A scale (dBA): gives more weight to frequencies b/w 1 to 5 kHz & less weight to other frequencies Time Weighted Average (TWA8): noise level (dB) if kept constant for 8 hours would have same risk of NIHL as briefer noise exposure in question Noise dose (D): Percentage of maximum allowed noise exposure throughout the working day
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Weighted Audiometry scales
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Subjective Evaluation
Voice level Distance of listener from speaker Noise level (dBA) Loud voice 6 feet 85 4 feet 90 2 feet 95 Shout 100 2 ft 105 Impossible to hear even when close > 110
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Sound Level Meter Hand-held instrument
Real-time display of sound level (dBA) coming from noise sources
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Noise Dosimeter Worn by employees to determine TWA exposure
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Sound meter
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Sound power doubles for each 3-dB increment
Frequent intermittency in occupational noise exposures, reduces risk of NIHL. Thus: O.S.H.A. reduces Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) by 50% for every 5-dB increment 8-hour exposure at 90 dBA, 4-hour exposure at 95 dBA, 2-hour exposure at 100 dBA are considered equally hazardous.
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Occupational Safety & Health Administration regulations
Sound Intensity Permitted exposure 85 dBA 16 hours 105 dBA 60 minutes 90 dBA 8 hours 110 dBA 30 minutes 95 dBA 4 hours 115 dBA 15 minutes 100 dBA 2 hours > 115 dBA < 1 second
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Methods for noise control
Reduction of noise production Reduction of noise transmission Protection of people exposed to noise Suitable legislation against noise pollution Worker’s rights to claim compensation Health education
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General Noise Control Separation of Industrial & Transport areas
Separation of residential areas from main streets House fronts should be > 15 m from street Intervening space planted with thick trees Acoustic insulation of buildings Use of public microphones with noise limiters Ban on bursting loud firecrackers
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Industrial Noise Control
Substituting new quieter equipment for old Isolate vibrating & noisy equipments Enclose noisy source or working personnel Attenuate noise energy at source via insulation Line surfaces with sound absorbing material Shield workers with sound barriers Use remote control systems for noisy operations
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Traffic Noise Control Heavy vehicles should not enter in narrow streets Restricted vehicular traffic on residential streets Prohibition on indiscriminate blowing of horns Banning use of pressure horns Encourage mass transportation & cut down on personal vehicles Noisy vehicle testing program
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Domestic Noise Control
Reduce volume of: Music systems Home theatres Generators Alarms Power tools Personal stereos Cell phones
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Personal Treatment Temporary Threshold Shift is reversible
No treatment or recovery is expected once Permanent Threshold Shift occurs Deterrence is only accepted management method Treat NIHL exacerbating conditions: smoking, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, exposure to ototoxic drugs
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Ear plugs
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Proper use of Ear Plug Roll earplug up into a small, thin "snake".
Pull your ear up & back with other hand & slide in rolled-up earplug. Count to 20 loudly while waiting for earplug to expand & fill ear canal. Your voice will sound muffled when earplug has made a good seal. Check fitting of earplug. Most of foam body of earplug should be within ear canal. NIOSH Roll, Pull, Hold (Check) method See web site
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Proper use of Ear Plug
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Proper fitting of Ear Plug
IMPROPER
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Canal cap protectors
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Ear muffs
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Dual Protection (plug + muff)
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Electronic Earmuffs Earmuffs permitting normal hearing in absence of loud noise are now available They detect loud noise & attenuate it before it reaches subject’s ear They permit normal hearing except in loud noise They allow wearer to hear environmental sounds
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Electronic Earmuffs
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Efficacy of earplugs & ear muffs
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Performance of hearing protectors
Hearing protectors are labeled with noise reduction rating (NRR) Noise exposure in dBA – {(NRR-7) x .5} = employee dose while wearing hearing protector Employee dose where exposure is 95 dBA, while wearing earplugs with 29 NRR = 95 – {(29-7) x .5} = 84 dBA dose Performance [NRR is a guideline not actual performance] Add 5dB to best protector for dual protection
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When to wear ear protection?
TWA8 ≥ 85 dBA or D ≥ 50% Worker’s option to wear hearing protection TWA8 > 90 dBA or D > 100% Worker must wear either ear plug or ear muff TWA8 > 105 dBA or D > 800% Worker must wear both earplug & earmuff Introduce MSHA requirements for hearing protection based on exposure level via (D) Noise Dose or (TWA8) Time-Weighted Average 8-hour sound level
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Hearing Conservation Program
Baseline PTA within 6 months of onset of exposure Audiogram done when employee has been noise free for at least 48 hours, (3 month for blast injury) - SB Workers exposed to TWA of > 85 dBA, must have: Annual audiometric testing, annual training about effects of noise on hearing, purpose of audiometry testing & hearing protective devices
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Medical care (?) Hyperbaric oxygenation + corticosteroid therapy
Intratympanic infusion of: JNK ligand, AM-111 Neural stem cells injection into scala tympani Anti-oxidants (prevent oxidative stress of cochlea): Acetyl-L-carnitine, Carbamathione, D-methionine, N -acetyl-l-cysteine, alpha tocopherol Dexamethasone infusion into perilymphatic space
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Accepted noise levels Residential 25 - 40 dB Commercial 35 - 45 dB
Industrial dB Educational dB Hospital dB
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Punishment for offenders
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Hearing Impairment Monaural hearing impairment calculated from four-frequency (500, 1000, 2000, 3000 Hz) Pure Tone Average Monaural hearing impairment (MHI) in % = (Pure Tone Average - 25) % Binaural hearing impairment (BHI) in % = 5 (MHI better ear) + 1 (MHI worse ear) _______________________________ 6
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Hearing Impairment: Structural, functional or psychological damage to hearing
Hearing Disability: Hearing impairment affects subject’s ability to perform normal body functions Hearing Handicap: Hearing disability prevents pt from performing duties towards society Pure Tone Average (500, 1000, 2000, 3000 Hz) > 25 dB is considered as hearing handicap (A.A.O.)
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Health Education
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Hearing Rehabilitation
“I would choose blindness over deafness, because blindness just separates me from things, while deafness cuts me off from people, & exchange of ideas about today, tomorrow & yesterday.” - Helen Keller
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Assisted Listening Devices
They are NOT hearing aids They are NOT used instead of hearing aids Help pt with hearing loss to function better in communication situations to overcome distance, background noise, or poor room acoustics Can be used with or without hearing aids
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Vibrating wrist watch & alarm clock
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CO2 & smoke alarm with strobe light
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Amplified & captioned telephone
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T.V. & F.M. amplifiers
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Personal & multi-user amplifier
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Alerting Devices
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Amplified Stethoscope
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Hearing Aids
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References Scott-Brown: 6th edition; volume 2; chapter th edition; volume 3; chapter 238b Cummings: 3rd edition; volume 4; chapter 162 Ballenger: 16th edition; chapter 15 Byron Bailey: 4th edition; chapter 147 Paparella: 3rd edition; volume 2; chapter 45 Ludman: 6th edition; chapter 35 Park’s textbook of PSM: 19th edition; p Mathur NN, Roland P. Inner ear NIHL. emedicine Ganguly SN, Reddy NS. JCOMS. 2008; 5:1 p 9-11
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Miners should be concerned about preserving their hearing
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