METHODOLOGY: The test was conducted for two different road conditions, tarmac and dirt roads. HAV exposure was measured using a Brüel & Kjær Type 3649 vibration analyzer, which is capable of recording HAV exposures from steering wheels. The data was analyzed using I-kaz Vibro to determine the HAV values in relation to varying speeds of a truck and to determine the degree of data scattering for HAV data signals.
RESULTS: Based on the results obtained, HAV experienced by drivers can be determined using the daily vibration exposure A(8), I-kaz Vibro coefficient (Ƶ(v)(∞)), and the I-kaz Vibro display. The I-kaz Vibro displays also showed greater scatterings, indicating that the values of Ƶ(v)(∞) and A(8) were increasing. Prediction of HAV exposure was done using the developed regression model and graphical representations of Ƶ(v)(∞). The results of the regression model showed that Ƶ(v)(∞) increased when the vehicle speed and HAV exposure increased.
DISCUSSION: For model validation, predicted and measured noise exposures were compared, and high coefficient of correlation (R(2)) values were obtained, indicating that good agreement was obtained between them. By using the developed regression model, we can easily predict HAV exposure from steering wheels for HAV exposure monitoring.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) from 22 patients (44 ears) with diagnosed noise-induced permanent hearing loss were studied. Three indices of PTA were average thresholds of 0.5 kHz/, /1 kHz, and 2 kHz (PTA1); 2 kHz and 4 kHz (PTA2); and 4 kHz (PTA3) were subdivided into 3 thresholds of hearing. Their relationships with ABR results were analysed. The patterns of PTA from various groups of ABR wave patterns were studied.
RESULTS: In this study, the abnormal ABR wave patterns were detected in 72.7% of the ears. The ears with prolonged ABR wave latency, absent early waves, prolong interpeak wave I-V latency was 20.5%, 18.2%, and 21.1%, respectively. Normal ABRs were recorded in 27.3% of the ears despite marked thresholds elevation of the PTA at high frequencies. Other relationships between PTA results and ABR wave results were discussed.
CONCLUSION: There were relationships between severity of noise-induced hearing loss indicated by PTA and the patterns of ABR wave abnormalities among workers with noise-induced permanent hearing loss.