Evaluation of hearing loss in bus drivers in curitiba (Brazil)

Purpose : to investigate the prevalence of hearing loss and audiometric characteristics of urban bus drivers.Methods : the sample was comprised of 122 bus drivers from the city of Curitiba (PR, Brazil), with an age mean of 36.1 years. The audiometric tests were performed during one year, between 2010 and 2011, according to the Resolution number 19 of the Ministry of Labour (1998).Results : 31.15% of the drivers had hearing problems detected by the method used, and 24.59% of the participants had results suggestive of noise-induced hearing loss. The most affected frequency was 6000 Hz without being one ear more affected than the other one.Conclusion : the results of this study were compared with results of previous studies carried out in the same city, and it was observed that the preventive measures for hearing health had shown favorable results.

研究目的：本研究旨在调查城市公交驾驶员的听力损失患病率及听力学特征。
研究方法：研究样本纳入巴西巴拉那州（PR）库里提巴市的122名公交驾驶员，其平均年龄为36.1岁。听力学检测于2010至2011年间的一年内完成，检测严格遵循巴西劳工部1998年第19号决议标准。
研究结果：通过本次采用的检测方法，31.15%的驾驶员被检出存在听力异常，其中24.59%的受试者结果提示为噪声性听力损失。听力受损最显著的频率为6000Hz，且双耳受损程度无明显差异。
研究结论：将本研究结果与该市既往同类研究结果进行对比后可见，针对听力健康的预防措施已取得良好成效。