Relationship of Aircraft-noise and the Result of Audiological Evaluation Among Residents Near U.S. Military Airbases in Pyeongtaek City.
- Author:
Jong Do JEONG
1
;
Hyunjoo KIM
;
Jae Yun JUNG
;
Sangchul ROH
;
Ho Jang KWON
Author Information
1. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Korea. kuffs@dku.edu
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Aircraft;
Noise;
Hearing loss;
Tinnitus
- MeSH:
Aircraft;
Audiometry;
Ear;
Electrolytes;
Female;
Hearing;
Hearing Loss;
Humans;
Linear Models;
Logistic Models;
Male;
Military Personnel;
Noise;
Odds Ratio;
Prevalence;
Questionnaires;
Tinnitus;
United States
- From:Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
2009;21(2):154-164
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Objective: To investigate the relationship between aircraft noise and the results of audiological evaluation on tinnitus and hearing loss among residents near United States military air-bases in Pyeongtaek city. METHODS: Residents (n=492) exposed to aircraft noise were selected from eight villages near U.S. military air-bases (K-55 and K-6) in Pyeongtaek city. Residents (n=200) from five villages located at least 10 km away from the air-base were selected for the control group. All participants completed a questionnaire on tinnitus and audiological evaluations included pure tone audiometry (PTA) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). Statistical analyses involved a general linear model and multiple logistic regression stratified by gender and data was adjusted by age, educational level, stress response index and noise type (i.e. military, agricultural and occupational). RESULTS: The equivalent noise levels (Leq) in the vicinity of the air-field were 73.4~81.5 dB (A). Tinnitus prevalence was 47.3% and odds ratio (OR) was 2.06 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09~3.88) among noise-exposed males. Tinnitus prevalence was 50.8% and OR was 1.97(95% CI: 1.17~3.30) among noise-exposed females. Tinnitus handicap scores among exposed group were significantly higher in functional, emotional, and catastrophic subclasses (p<0.001). PTA revealed hearing thresholds among the exposed group of 0.5 and 1 kHz (male right ear), 0.5 and 1 kHz (female left ear) and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 kHz on female right ear that were significantly higher than those of the unexposed group. No significant difference in DPOAE was observed among noise-exposed males. However, significant differences were evident for noise-exposed females at 3175 and 4007 Hz. ORs of right female ears 3175 and 4007 Hz were 1.73(95% CI: 1.01~2.99) and 1.78(95% CI: 1.01~3.15). ORs of left female ears at 3175 Hz and 4007 Hz were 1.92(95% CI: 1.10~3.36) and 2.71(95% CI: 1.49~4.91) CONCLUSIONS: Aircraft noise may adversely affect hearing function and tinnitus.
