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Madahana MCI, Ekoru JED, Sebothoma B, Khoza-Shangase K. Development of an artificial intelligence based occupational noise induced hearing loss early warning system for mine workers. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1321357. [PMID: 38576872 PMCID: PMC10991701 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1321357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL) is one of the most prevalent conditions among mine workers globally. This reality is due to mine workers being exposed to noise produced by heavy machinery, rock drilling, blasting, and so on. This condition can be compounded by the fact that mine workers often work in confined workspaces for extended periods of time, where little to no attenuation of noise occurs. The objective of this research work is to present a preliminary study of the development of a hearing loss, early monitoring system for mine workers. Methodology The system consists of a smart watch and smart hearing muff equipped with sound sensors which collect noise intensity levels and the frequency of exposure. The collected information is transferred to a database where machine learning algorithms namely the logistic regression, support vector machines, decision tree and Random Forest Classifier are used to classify and cluster it into levels of priority. Feedback is then sent from the database to a mine worker smart watch based on priority level. In cases where the priority level is extreme, indicating high levels of noise, the smart watch vibrates to alert the miner. The developed system was tested in a mock mine environment consisting of a 67 metres tunnel located in the basement of a building whose roof top represents the "surface" of a mine. The mock-mine shape, size of the tunnel, steel-support infrastructure, and ventilation system are analogous to deep hard-rock mine. The wireless channel propagation of the mock-mine is statistically characterized in 2.4-2.5 GHz frequency band. Actual underground mine material was used to build the mock mine to ensure it mimics a real mine as close as possible. The system was tested by 50 participants both male and female ranging from ages of 18 to 60 years. Results and discussion Preliminary results of the system show decision tree had the highest accuracy compared to the other algorithms used. It has an average testing accuracy of 91.25% and average training accuracy of 99.79%. The system also showed a good response level in terms of detection of noise input levels of exposure, transmission of the information to the data base and communication of recommendations to the miner. The developed system is still undergoing further refinements and testing prior to being tested in an actual mine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milka C. I. Madahana
- School of Mining Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - John E. D. Ekoru
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ben Sebothoma
- Department of Audiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Wu S, Wu Z, Chen M, Zhong X, Gu H, Du W, Liu W, Lang L, Wang J. Interactions of genetic variations in FAS, GJB2 and PTPRN2 are associated with noise-induced hearing loss: a case-control study in China. BMC Med Genomics 2024; 17:18. [PMID: 38212800 PMCID: PMC10785407 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-023-01790-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to screen and validate noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), construct genetic risk prediction models, and evaluate higher-order gene-gene, gene-environment interactions for NIHL in Chinese population. METHODS First, 83 cases and 83 controls were recruited and 60 candidate SNPs were genotyped. Then SNPs with promising results were validated in another case-control study (153 cases and 252 controls). NIHL-associated SNPs were identified by logistic regression analysis, and a genetic risk model was constructed based on the genetic risk score (GRS), and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was used to evaluate interactions among gene-gene and gene-environment. RESULTS Six SNPs in five genes were significantly associated with NIHL risk (p < 0.05). A positive dose-response relationship was found between GRS values and NIHL risk. CART analysis indicated that strongest interaction was among subjects with age ≥ 45 years and cumulative noise exposure ≥ 95 [dB(A)·years], without personal protective equipment, and carried GJB2 rs3751385 (AA/AB) and FAS rs1468063 (AA/AB) (OR = 10.038, 95% CI = 2.770, 47.792), compared with the referent group. CDH23, FAS, GJB2, PTPRN2 and SIK3 may be NIHL susceptibility genes. CONCLUSION GRS values may be utilized in the evaluation of the cumulative effect of genetic risk for NIHL based on NIHL-associated SNPs. Gene-gene, gene-environment interaction patterns play an important role in the incidence of NIHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Public Health Detection and Assessment, School of public health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhidan Wu
- Guangzhou Baiyun District Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Manlian Chen
- The Sixth people's Hospital Of Dongguan, Dongguan, China
| | - Xiangbin Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Public Health Detection and Assessment, School of public health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haoyan Gu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Public Health Detection and Assessment, School of public health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjing Du
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Public Health Detection and Assessment, School of public health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weidong Liu
- The Sixth people's Hospital Of Dongguan, Dongguan, China
| | - Li Lang
- Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Junyi Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Public Health Detection and Assessment, School of public health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Houmøller SS, Tsai LT, Wolff A, Kaithali Narayanan S, Hougaard DD, Gaihede M, Hammershøi D, Neher T, Godballe C, Schmidt JH. A history of occupational noise exposure is associated with steep-slope audiograms and poorer self-reported hearing-aid outcomes. Int J Audiol 2023:1-13. [PMID: 37909290 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2272558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of previous occupational noise exposure in older adults with hearing loss on (1) audiometric configuration and acoustic reflex (AR) thresholds and (2) self-reported hearing abilities and hearing aid (HA) effectiveness. DESIGN A prospective observational study. STUDY SAMPLE The study included 1176 adults (≥60 years) with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Pure-tone audiometry, AR thresholds, and responses to the abbreviated version of the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12) and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) questionnaire were obtained, along with information about previous occupational noise exposure. RESULTS Greater occupational noise exposure was associated with a higher prevalence of steeply sloping audiograms in men and women and a 0.32 (95% CI: -0.57; -0.06) scale points lower mean SSQ12 total score among noise-exposed men. AR thresholds did not show a significant relation to noise-exposure status, but hearing thresholds at a given frequency were related to elevated AR thresholds at the same frequency. CONCLUSIONS A noise exposure history is linked to steeper audiograms in older adults with hearing loss as well as to poorer self-reported hearing abilities in noise-exposed men. More attention to older adults with previous noise exposure is warranted in hearing rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Storbjerg Houmøller
- Research Unit for ORL - Head & Neck Surgery and Audiology, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- OPEN, Odense Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Li-Tang Tsai
- Research Unit for ORL - Head & Neck Surgery and Audiology, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Anne Wolff
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Dan Dupont Hougaard
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Michael Gaihede
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Dorte Hammershøi
- Section for AI and Sound, Department of Electronic Systems, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Tobias Neher
- Research Unit for ORL - Head & Neck Surgery and Audiology, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christian Godballe
- Research Unit for ORL - Head & Neck Surgery and Audiology, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- OPEN, Odense Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jesper Hvass Schmidt
- Research Unit for ORL - Head & Neck Surgery and Audiology, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- OPEN, Odense Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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Makaruse N, Paltiel O, Klebanov M, Moshe S, Rinsky-Halivni L. The rate of occupational noise-induced hearing loss among male workers in Israel and implication on hearing surveillance frequency. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2023; 96:771-784. [PMID: 37058149 PMCID: PMC10103665 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-023-01975-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the annual rate of NIHL in Israel, a modern economy with relatively low industrial hazardous noise exposure. To review international protocols of hearing surveillance. To recommend an effective, efficient, hearing screening frequency protocol. METHODS A historical cohort study was conducted. Audiometric surveillance data from the Jerusalem occupational medicine registry of male employees in various industries from 2006 to 2017 were used. Mean individual annual threshold shifts simulating 1-8 checkup interval years were calculated. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to assess the interval in which the slope of the calculated ATS variability moderates significantly. RESULTS A total of 263 noise-exposed workers and 93 workers in the comparison group produced 1913 audiograms for analysis. Among the noise-exposed workers, using the 1-4 kHz average, threshold shifts stabilized from 3 years onwards at around 1 dB per year in all age groups and 0.83 dB in the stratum younger than 50 years. No enhanced decline was detected in the first years of exposure. CONCLUSION Although most countries conduct annual hearing surveillance, hearing threshold shifts of noise-exposed workers become more accurate and show less variability when calculated at 3-year checkup intervals onwards than shorter intervals. Since margins of errors of the test method are much larger than the annual shift found, screening schedule that enables each subsequent test to identify a real deterioration in hearing is necessary. Triennial audiometric screening would be a better surveillance frequency for noise-exposed workers younger than 50 years of age in the category of 85-95 dBLAeq,8 h without other known risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nyasha Makaruse
- Braun School of Public Health, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ora Paltiel
- Braun School of Public Health, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Miriam Klebanov
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Clalit Health Services, Jerusalem District, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shlomo Moshe
- The Environmental and Occupational Department, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Department of Occupational Medicine, Jerusalem and HaShfela District, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Rishon Letzion, Israel
| | - Lilah Rinsky-Halivni
- Braun School of Public Health, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Clalit Health Services, Jerusalem District, Jerusalem, Israel.
- Takemi Program in International Health, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Room 1210, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Occupational Hearing Loss for Platinum Miners in South Africa: A Case Study of Data Sharing Practices and Ethical Challenges in the Mining Industry. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:ijerph19010001. [PMID: 35010261 PMCID: PMC8750121 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relevant legislation ensures confidentiality and has paved the way for data handling and sharing. However, the industry remains uncertain regarding big data handling and sharing practices for improved healthcare delivery and medical research. METHODS A semi-qualitative cross-sectional study was used which entailed analysing miners' personal health records from 2014 to 2018. Data were accessed from the audiometry medical surveillance database (n = 480), the hearing screening database (n = 24,321), and the occupational hygiene database (n = 15,769). Ethical principles were applied to demonstrate big data protection and sharing. RESULTS Some audiometry screening and occupational hygiene records were incomplete and/or inaccurate (N = 4675). The database containing medical disease and treatment records could not be accessed. Ethical challenges included a lack of clarity regarding permission rights when sharing big data, and no policy governing the divulgence of miners' personal and medical records for research. CONCLUSION This case study illustrates how research can be effectively, although not maliciously, obstructed by the strict protection of employee medical data. Clearly communicated company policies should be developed for the sharing of workers' records in the mining industry to improve HCPs.
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Diallo AO, Othon Guelngar C, Balde MB, Omar OI, Sinayoko A, Diallo AL, Bah M. Evaluation of the Impact of Noise Pollution on the Workers of the Bottling Line of the Limited Company of Breweries of Guinea (SOBRAGUI). Cureus 2021; 13:e18033. [PMID: 34671521 PMCID: PMC8523084 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Noise or noise pollution is a phenomenon that causes an auditory sensation considered unpleasant, undesirable, and annoying, which may present a danger to health in general and the auditory system in particular. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of noise pollution among workers in a brewery in the city of Conakry. Patient and methods This is a prospective descriptive study, of two months' duration (November 11, 2019, to January 10, 2020) carried out in the industrial unit of the Limited Company of Breweries of Guinea (SOBRAGUI). We included all the workers of the company exposed to noise pollution in their workplaces, after their informed consent. Results The age of the workers varied between 22 and 70 years, with a mean age of 44.14 ± 8.07 years. We noted a male predominance of 99.22% (n=128) cases. The average duration of exposure was 14.28 ± 6.78 years, with variations ranging from one year to 35 years. Among the auditory disorders, we noted tinnitus in 63.8% (n=74), hypoacusis in 56.9% (n=66), and auditory fatigue in 52.6% (n=61) of cases. These signs were often associated with each other and with other extra-auditory symptoms in the same worker. Audiometry revealed a moderate to severe hearing loss in 13.8% (n=16) and profound deafness in 0.9% (n=1) of cases. The impact of noise pollution on workers' performance was reflected in concentration difficulties in 57.7% (n=67) of cases. Conclusion Noise pollution is present in the SOBRAGUI bottling line. It has a negative impact on the health of workers and alters their work performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alpha Oumar Diallo
- Ear Nose Throat (ENT) & Cervico-Facial Surgery (CFS) Department, Ignace Deen National Hospital, Conakry, GIN
| | | | - Mamadou Baillo Balde
- Ear Nose Throat (ENT) & Cervico-Facial Surgery (CFS) Department, Donka National Hospital, Conakry, GIN
| | - Omar Issa Omar
- Ear Nose Throat (ENT) & Cervico-Facial Surgery (CFS) Department, Ignace Deen National Hospital, Conakry, GIN
| | - Alimou Sinayoko
- Ear Nose Throat (ENT) & Cervico-Facial Surgery (CFS) Department, Ignace Deen National Hospital, Conakry, GIN
| | - Amadou Lamarana Diallo
- Ear Nose Throat (ENT) & Cervico-Facial Surgery (CFS) Department, Ignace Deen National Hospital, Conakry, GIN
| | - Mouhammad Bah
- Ear Nose Throat (ENT) & Cervico-Facial Surgery (CFS) Department, Ignace Deen National Hospital, Conakry, GIN
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Chen KH, Su SB, Chen KT. An overview of occupational noise-induced hearing loss among workers: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and preventive measures. Environ Health Prev Med 2020; 25:65. [PMID: 33129267 PMCID: PMC7603754 DOI: 10.1186/s12199-020-00906-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is the most prevalent occupational disease in the world. The goal of this study was to review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and preventive measures of ONIHL among workers and provide evidence for the implementation of control measures. Literature studies were identified from the MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the search terms “noise-induced hearing loss” “prevalence”, “pathogenesis”, and “preventive measures”. The articles reviewed in this report were limited from 2000 to 2020. Articles that were not published in the English language, manuscripts without an abstract, and opinion articles were excluded. After a preliminary screening, all of the articles were reviewed and synthesized to provide an overview of the current status of ONIHL among workers. The mechanism of ONIHL among workers is a complex interaction between environmental and host factors (both genetic and acquired factors). The outcomes of noise exposure are different among individual subjects. Clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the treatment effect of antioxidants on ONIHL. Noise exposure may contribute to temporary or permanent threshold shifts; however, even temporary threshold shifts may predispose an individual to eventual permanent hearing loss. Noise prevention programs are an important preventive measure in reducing the morbidity of ONIHL among workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kou-Huang Chen
- School of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Sanming University, Sanming, 365, Fujian Province, China
| | - Shih-Bin Su
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, 710, Taiwan
| | - Kow-Tong Chen
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital (managed by Show Chwan Medical Care Corporation), No. 670, Chongde Road, East District, Tainan, 701, Taiwan. .,Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan.
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