Noise-induced hearing loss has been studied for many years and today many experts also investigate the synergic action of chemical products, since they can be potentially ototoxic.
Aim: to investigate the audiological findings in workers exposed to occupational noise and pesticide and to compare it to data from noise-exposed workers.
Study design: Clinical retrospective.
Material and method: individuals that had been exposed to pesticide and noise (group I), and individuals that had been exposed to noise only (group II).
Results: The classification of the audiometric findings showed in that group I: 35% had normal hearing thresholds, 53.75% had degree 1 hearing loss and 11.25% had degree 2 hearing loss; and group II had 57.5% of normal hearing, 40% had degree 1 hearing loss and only 2.5% had degree 2 hearing loss. The analysis of the audiometric findings also showed a significant worsening after comparing groups I and II thresholds, in the frequency of 3 kHz on the left ear and 4 kHz on both ears.
Conclusion: The analysis showed that group I had worse audiometric thresholds compared to group II.