WORKERS’ HEARING BEFORE AND AFTER THE HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM

Abstract

Introduction: It is still limited the acceptance and participation of companies in the implementation of the Hearing Conservation Program (HCP), which intends to prevent the evolution of hearing loss as a result of occupational noise exposure. Objective: To check the HCP effects from the analysis of the hearing profile of workers exposed to noise before and after the implementation of this program in a tiles factory in the city of Recife, PE. Methods: This was an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. A total of 71 workers’ medical records were used through which occupational history and audiological findings were investigated. It was considered the reference audiometry, the sequential audiometry before the HCP implementation and the sequential audiometry after the HCP. Results: There were significant changes in the threshold of reference audiometry more often than those regarding the audiometry done before the HCP. Also, there were fewer changes in the reference audiometry compared to the sequential audiometry done after the HCP implementation. Furthermore, some positive changes were observed for audiometric thresholds after the HCP, which suggests an improvement in the workers’ hearing condition. Conclusion: The preventive means adopted and encouraged by the HCP brought benefits to these workers hearing. DESCRIPTORS: Hearing. Occupational Health. Occupational Noise.