Prevalencia y factores de riesgo asociados a hipoacusia en los trabajadores de la empresa Continental Tire Andina. Cuenca 2020

Abstract

ABSTRACTHearing is the ability to process and interpret sounds through the sensory organ that is the earand it isone of the most important functions for the development of oral language. To know the auditory state, an audiometry is performed, this test is represented in an audiogram. Depending on the minimum hearing threshold, is diagnosed as normal hearing or hearing loss. The integrity of the auditory function is affected by the presence of risk factors associated with hearing loss, such as: exposure to noise, consumption of ototoxic medication, high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and a history of family deafness.General objective:To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with hearing loss in workers of Continental Tire Andina company.Methodology: A descriptive and retrospective study was carried out in 178 workers of the company “Continental Tire Andina SA”, Cuenca city. The medical records were reviewed and the audiometric evaluations that were carried out in the period February-March 2020. The data were recorded in a collection form, the results were analyzed in the SPSS version 22 program and Microsoft Excel.Results:139users with normal hearing (78,1%) and 39 with a diagnosis of hearing loss (21.9%) were registered in the study. 10,3% of workers presented mild bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, the same ones who were exposed to noise between 70-85 dB for more than 25 years. 7,7% presented the same diagnosis but with 86-100dB noise exposure for 16 to 25 years or more. Regarding the age of the users exclusively with hearing loss, 38,5% were between 36-45 years of age. Themost prevalent risk factor associated with hearing loss was exposure to noise with 17,4%.Conclusion:78,1% of users were diagnosed with hearing withinnormal parameters. However, 21,9% of hearing loss was recorded including sensorineural, conductive and mixed. The main risk factor associated with hearing loss was exposure to noise.