Step-by-step algorithm for diagnosis, examination and assessment of professional suitability in noise-induced hearing loss

Abstract

Objectives - to present a step-by-step algorithm for diagnosis, examination and assessment of professional suitability in noise-induced hearing loss. Material and methods. A group of experts analysed the evidence base, consisting of more than 200 cases of primary diagnosed occupational sensorineural hearing loss (OHL), registered by various institutes for occupational safety and health. Also, the methodological instructions on the main issues of occupational hearing loss examination were regarded. Results. The methodological and regulatory documents were developed and put in practice, allowing the hygienic and clinical specialists to follow the step-by-step diagnostic and examination algorithms for OHL. Conclusion. All specialists, involved in the diagnosis, in the expertise of the occupational impact, the assessment of professional suitability, the OHL prophylaxis, should use the unified step-by-step algorithms, presented in the regulatory and methodological documents of federal and professional significance.

Keywords

• production noise
• hearing loss
• professional occupational sensorineural hearing loss
• step-by-step algorithm
• diagnostics
• examination
• professional suitability