Noise and age: influence on the hearing of individuals with ages between 50-70 years.

BACKGROUND Age and exposure to noise are among the factors that may cause hearing loss in adults. Both of these factors are considered additives once their combined effects can cause damage to the hair cells of the organ of Corti. AIM To verify whether the exposure to occupational noise is an important risk factor for hearing disorders in adults with ages between 50 to 70 years, besides the auditory deterioration caused by age. METHOD The audiograms of 71 men with ages ranging between 50 to 70 years were studied (cohort study), with the participants being divided in 2 groups (Group 1 with occupational exposure to noise and Group 2 without the exposure to noise) in order to compare their auditory profiles. RESULTS The groups do not present significant differences regarding age (p = 0.321), with most of the participants with ages between 50 and 55 years (48); 14 subjects presented normal bilateral hearing thresholds and all of the others presented neurossensorial hearing loss. An association between noise and hearing disorders was found, with significant differences between the groups for auditory thresholds above 3000 Hz, with Group 1 presenting worse results (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The auditory thresholds of individuals with ages between 50 and 70 years are worse for the group that is exposed to noise. Noise is a higher risk factor than age when considering neurossensorial hearing losses.