Noise exposure in gold miners: utilising audiogram configuration to determine hearing handicap

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between the audiogram configuration and its calculated Percentage Loss of Hearing (PLH), and the experience of hearing handicap in noise-exposed gold miners. The experience of hearing handicap by gold miners with different audiogram configurations of NIHL was measured using the translated Hearing Handicap Inventory. Audiograms and measures of hearing handicap were associated with the PLH calculated from the tables specified by the South African compensation legislation. Results indicate that NIHL audiograms can be categorised into five different patterns based on the configuration. All participants, no matter what the audiogram configurations and degree of hearing loss as measured by the PLH, experienced significant handicap as a result of their hearing loss, including the group where most of the audiogram thresholds were within normal limits. The study highlights the need for awareness of appropriate rehabilitation and counselling in this population and offers a model for quantifying the effects of NIHL that takes into account the effect of the hearing loss on the quality of life as well as the audiological results.