Hearing Impairment in French Merchant Seafarers

Retrospective Study on Data from 8308 Audiometric Tests

Bibliographic Data

ID15470245
AuthorsDavid Lucas (0000-0001-8201-0808, Laboratoire des Sciences et Techniques de l’Information de la Communication et de la Connaissance, corresponding author), Thierry Sauvage (0000-0001-8100-2187, Conditions Extrêmes et Matériaux Haute Température et Irradiation), Anne Sophie Forestier (Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest), Richard Pougnet (0000-0002-5349-7351, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest), Greta Gourier (0000-0002-5567-856X, Hôpital de l'Antiquaille), Brice Loddé (0000-0001-6963-2549, Laboratoire des Sciences et Techniques de l’Information de la Communication et de la Connaissance), Dominique Jégaden (0000-0003-4709-326X, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Brest)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue14
Pages8796-8796
Publication date2022-07-20
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19148796
PMID35886649
OpenAlexW4286209613
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited16

Background: A high level of occupational noise exposure has been noted in the fishing sector. Yet, less is known regarding other navigation groups, such as merchant seafarers, since a French study in the 1980s. This study assesses hearing impairment (HI) in a French merchant seafarers’ population. Methods: We collected data of all audiograms performed in 2018 and 2019 for French merchant seafarers. For each seafarer, hearing ability was measured in both ears using pure-tone audiometry at the following frequencies: 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz. Hearing threshold levels (HTLs), or the intensity of sound below which no sound is detected, were measured in decibels Sound Pressure Level (dB SPL) at each frequency and recorded in 5 dB increments. For HI, we used the validated definition of the American Speech−Language−Hearing Association (ASHA). Results: We were able to include statistical analysis results of 8308 audiograms. In a multiple logistic regression adjusted for age, experience, and class of navigation, we found that experience of more than 14 years Odds Ratio OR 1.28 (CI 95% 1.07−1.53), age 31−40 OR 2.2 (CI 95% 1.4−3.4), and >40 years OR 14, 3 (IC 95% 9.7−21) and marine engineers OR 1.26 (IC 95% 1.01−1.57) were still risk factors for HI. Conclusion: In 2018, Marine engineers were still the workers’ group with a higher risk of HI in merchant seafarers but, notch at 4 Hz, specific of noise-induced hearing loss, has improved. They have an HI close to the definition of socioacousis and mean deficit differences with deck and services’ merchant seafarers improved. Our results could be interpreted as a limitation of occupational noise exposure impact in a merchant seafarers’ population, needing an improvement in prevention measures and also encouraged to continue to improve onboard working conditions

Absolute threshold of hearing · Audiogram · Audiology · Audiometry · Decibel · Environmental health · Hearing loss · Logistic regression · Noise exposure · Noise-induced hearing loss · Odds ratio · Population · Presbycusis · Pure tone audiometry · Sound pressure · Telecommunications · Demography · Engineering · Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation · Injury Epidemiology and Prevention · Medicine · Noise Effects and Management · Internal Medicine

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access