Abstract

OTTONI, Aurea Oliveira Canha; BARBOSA-BRANCO, Anadergh; BOGER, Marlene Escher  and  GARAVELLI, Sérgio Luiz. Study of the noise spectrum on high frequency thresholds in workers exposed to noise. Braz. j. otorhinolaryngol. [online]. 2012, vol.78, n.4, pp. 108-114. ISSN 1808-8694.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1808-86942012000400020.

Noise level can be quantified and qualified based on sound characteristics such as intensity, type of spectrum, duration and distribution of the noise exposure during one's working hours. OBJECTIVE: To assess noise spectrum and the audiometric configuration of workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Contemporary cross-sectional cohort carried out in the Federal District - Brazil. We did an environmental analysis (spectral analysis) of the noise in companies from different industries, with audiological assessment of 347 workers. RESULTS: The spectral analysis revealed peaks at different frequencies for each industry investigated (8 kHz-metallurgical, 4 kHz-stone Works and 2 kHz-wood works). We noticed that the frequencies of 14 kHz and 16 kHz had significant differences between the various industries, with a greater prevalence of the metallurgical. CONCLUSION: The use of noise pressure measuring device, coupled to a frequency analyzer and high frequency audiometric assessment yielded an early detection of hearing damage, helping better organize preventive measures.

Keywords : audiometry; hearing loss noise-induced; noise measurement; spectrum analysis.