Research progress on early screening methods for occupational noise-induced hearing loss

Aihua LI; Wenyan YU; Hongyan YANG; Weihong CAI; Rui ZHANG; Haijiang FENG; Huaiying TAO; Yixian MA; Yan YE

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Research progress on early screening methods for occupational noise-induced hearing loss

VernacularTitle:职业性噪声听力损失早期筛查方法的研究进展
Author: Aihua LI ¹ ; Wenyan YU ² ; Hongyan YANG ¹ ; Weihong CAI ¹ ; Rui ZHANG ¹ ; Haijiang FENG ¹ ; Huaiying TAO ¹ ; Yixian MA ¹ ; Yan YE ¹
Author Information

1. Occupational Health Institute, Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100020, China.
2. Jinsong Community Health Service Center of Chaoyang District, Beijing, Beijing 100021, China.
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: occupational noise; hearing loss; tympanometry; otoacoustic emission; extended high-frequency audiometry
From: Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(11):1400-1404
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is an irreversible sensorineural hearing loss that severely endangers workers’ health, making early screening crucial. This article reviewed the research progress on early screening methods for occupational NIHL, introduced the testing mechanisms of three core screening methods—tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions, and extended high-frequency audiometry —and summarized their clinical application advantages and limitations. It is proposed that multimodal combined detection (e.g., the combination of tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions, and extended high-frequency audiometry) can significantly improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of early screening. Meanwhile, future studies with prospective cohort design are encouraged to verify the long-term monitoring value of each method and to strengthen the joint development of screening technologies with cutting-edge approaches such as machine learning, in order to further improve screening efficiency and provide stronger protection for workers’ hearing health.