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Anahtar Kelimeler: Yaş faktörü; odyometri/yöntem; odyometri/saf-ses; işitme eşiği/fizyoloji; işitme kaybı, yüksek frekans/etyoloji; işitme kaybı, gürültüyle oluşan/etyoloji/tanı; gürültü,mesleki/olumsuz etkileri.O bjectives: Changes in hearing thresholds were determined
by standard and high-frequency audiometry in subjects
exposed to occupational noise for long durations.
Patients and Methods: Hearing thresholds were measured
between 250 and 16000 Hz frequencies by standard
and high frequency audiometry in 64 male workers
(mean age 42 years; range 31 to 55 years) of a hydroelectric
power plant and in 30 age- and sex-matched controls
with no hearing problems. The workers were divided
into three groups according to the noise level and into four
groups according to the duration of exposure.
Results: The mean hearing thresholds of workers
showed significant increases in all frequencies from
4000 to 16000 Hz (p<0.005), the most affected frequencies
being 4000, 6000, 14000 and 16000 Hz
(p<0.0005). Increases in hearing thresholds were
significantly correlated with the noise level and duration
of exposure to noise (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results suggest that high frequency
audiometry should be used together with standard
audiometry in the detection and follow-up of individuals
who are at potential risks for hearing losses.