Auditory effects and communication disorders in an aerial patrol group

Abstract

Introduction: noise exposure can cause auditory and non-auditory effects. Objective: To study auditory effects and communication disorders among aerial patrol group. Method: observational, crosssectional study with 50 police officers with a mean age of 39 years and a mean working time of 16.7 years. Procedures include anamnesis, questionnaire, visual inspection of the external auditory canal and audiometric assessment. Results: 96% of the police believe that the working environment is noisy and cite radio control (air and ground) and other aircraft as the main sources. The main complaints were: stress (46%), communication disorders (40%), lack of attention (32%), annoyance (28%), tinnitus (32%), full hearing (26%) and discomfort for high levels (32%). The audiometry showed 35 soldiers classified as normal hearing (70%), eight as suggestive of noise induced hearing loss (16%) and seven (14%) with other causes. There was a statistical association between “Difficulty of communication with others” and the variables: noise from other aircraft, stress, annoyance, lack of attention, discomfort, tinnitus and work efficiency. In logistic regression analysis, individual reports of discomfort, the chance that had difficulty of communication with others is 21 times (CI 3.87 to 113.88). Conclusion: The military believes that the work environment is noisy and has high incidences of health problems. The difficulty of communication was statistically associated with noise and various effects on health