Análise da perda auditiva induzida pelo ruído em agricultores da comunidade dos municípios da região de Campo Mourão-PR - Projeto Piloto

Abstract

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a highly prevalent occupational disease, affecting several branches of activity. Workers who use machinery that emit noise at excessive sound levels may compromise their physical health due to chronic exposure to noise. In the agricultural sector, in particular, operators of agricultural machinery develop their work activities, most of the time in married conditions. A work environment with a high level of noise, jeopardizing the worker's productivity and quality of life due to the risk of hearing damage to which he is exposed, has been the subject of clinical and experimental studies all over the world. The proposal presented here constitutes a great encouragement for carrying out research that seeks to promote the health and safety of agricultural workers, and that identify and intervene in areas or aspects that can be valued. Identify the factors that collaborate with the prevention and prognosis of NIHL This investigation is characterized as a cross-sectional observational analytical study of prevalence. It consists of observing, questioning, examining, analyzing and interpreting the collected data, to then understand, describe and propose an investigation protocol, seeking a better conduction in the diagnosis, prevention and prognosis of NIHL. The survey was carried out between the second half of 2021 and the second half of 2022, with farmers with NIHL. Data collection was carried out through the application of a test, containing a clinical and occupational anamnesis, in addition, a hearing assessment was also performed through physical examination, otoscopy, complete audiometric examination and immittanciometry. The profile of patients found in the sample was male patients with an average age of 55 years, with an average time of exposure to noise of 32 years. Complaints of hypoacusis and non-use of PPE are present in approximately 70% of patients and dizziness and hyperacusis are present in approximately 30% of patients. It was confirmed that the early use of PPE, measures of guidance and awareness regarding the prevention of exposure to noise, the perception that tinnitus is a factor that may be indicative of NIHL, and the treatment and adequate control of correlated comorbidities are determining factors in the preservation of auditory health in farmers.