PURPOSE: To identify annoyance caused by occupational and urban noises and auditory health complaints of a group of firefighters from a corporation in Santo André (SP), Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out with a population of 72 firefighters from the 8th Brigade: 28 firefighters from the administrative section, 20 from the occurrence center and 24 from the operational call center. It was used a protocol which consisted of 57 questions regarding personal data, auditory and non-auditory complaints and annoyance. A sound mapping from the surrounding area was also carried out. RESULTS: The sound pressure levels in the firefighter corporation area exceeded 67 dB (A), reaching more than 82 dB (A) at the main avenue. Most of the subjects (83.3%) reported noisy routine at work, and urban noise was reported as the major source of annoyance. When evaluated separately by performance section, the highest occurrences of complaints were for urban noise (73.9%), firefighter vehicle noise (68%) and telephone noise (38.2%), for the administrative section, operational call center and occurrence center, respectively. CONCLUSION: The firefighters interviewed, besides being exposed to noises deriving from work activities, like vehicles, walk-talk radios and telephones, are liable to consequences from urban noise, which disturbs work activities and also causes health problems.
Hearing; Noise, occupational; Tinnitus; Occupational, health
