Reactive oxygen species levels are high risk worker of noise induced hearing loss in hospitals

Excessive noise exposure could increase the production of reactive oxygen species in the cochlea, thus causing the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Environment noise are commonly found in industrial sites but its possibility of hospitals also include noisy locations. Objectives: To analyze the correlation of reactive oxygen species and hearing impairment to employees at risk in the Hospital. Method: Participants was obtained by identifying the employees in hospital from 3,813. They were examined for baseline characteristics, hearing loss and reactive oxygen species. Hearing loss was defined as audiometry and tympanometry level. Result: The proportion of participant was 42.43 ± 10.72 years old in women (58.33%) and noise levels at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital was 98.15 ± 8.16 dB in range 85.39 to 112.90 dB. The prevalence of NIHL was 47.92% (audiometry) and 70.83% (otoacoustic emission). Reactive oxygen species estimated 5.55 ± 4.39 ng/ml. Statistical analysis of reactive oxygen species to audiometry (p = 0.993) and reactive oxygen species to otoacoustic emission (p = 0.647). Conclusion: increased production of reactive oxygen species that cause hearing loss, but there was no correlation between reactive oxygen species and hearing loss in risk worker at the hospital.