Noise Induced Hearing Loss in China: A Potentially Costly Public Health Lssue

Abstract Hearing loss and tinnitus are among the most common consequences of long term noise exposure and remain an under-addressed heath issue in most developing nations including China. The rapid industrialization and life style changes in China increase the concern over noise exposure and noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Research on NIHL in China is limited. The current paper reviews studies published in English and Chinese language literatures regarding noise exposure and NIHL in China. Their implication on the Chinese population is discussed. The possible utility of a research model such as the Dangerous Decibels® as a means to increase understanding of the scope of NIHL among the Chinese population, to educate the general public in China (especially the young) about NIHL and its prevention, and to study effects of language and cultural factors on international information dissemination and behavioral interventions is proposed.

[1]  X. Liu,et al.  Epidemiological Studies on Hearing Impairment with Reference to Genetic Factors in Sichuan, China , 2001, The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology.

[2]  Ronald Klein,et al.  Prevalence and 5-year incidence of tinnitus among older adults: the epidemiology of hearing loss study. , 2002, Journal of the American Academy of Audiology.

[3]  R. Folmer,et al.  Effectiveness of "Dangerous Decibels," a school-based hearing loss prevention program. , 2007, American journal of audiology.

[4]  I. Morioka,et al.  Hearing impairment among young Chinese in a rural area. , 1996, Public health.

[5]  T. W. Wong,et al.  The use of personal cassette players among youths and its effects on hearing. , 1990, Public health.

[6]  A Axelsson,et al.  Tinnitus--a study of its prevalence and characteristics. , 1989, British journal of audiology.

[7]  Guoxia Ma,et al.  Assessment of Traffic Noise Pollution from 1989 to 2003 in Lanzhou City , 2006, Environmental monitoring and assessment.

[8]  S. Levine,et al.  National Occupational Health Service policies and programs for workers in small-scale industries in China. , 2000, AIHAJ : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety.

[9]  S. Liou.  Occupational disease profile in Taiwan, Republic of China. , 1994, Industrial health.

[10]  R. Eavey,et al.  Evaluation of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Young People Using a Web-Based Survey Technique , 2005, Pediatrics.

[11]  Nan Li,et al.  Investigation of Road-Traffic Noise and Annoyance in Beijing: A Cross-Sectional Study of 4th Ring Road , 2008, Archives of environmental & occupational health.

[12]  G. Smoorenburg.  Risk of noise-induced hearing loss following exposure to Chinese firecrackers. , 1993, Audiology.

[13]  Lei Yu,et al.  Effects of social, demographical and behavioral factors on the sound level evaluation in urban open spaces. , 2008, The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.

[14]  R. Folmer,et al.  Hearing conservation education programs for children: a review. , 2002, The Journal of school health.

[15]  Y. Xu,et al.  Prevalence and aetiology of profound deafness in the general population of Sichuan, China , 1993, The Journal of Laryngology & Otology.

[16]  Bao-yan Liu,et al.  [Exploration on the common characters of sub-healthy people based on clinical epidemiology]. , 2006, Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi = Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine.

[17]  Mu He-ta.  Investigation on Noise Induced Hearing Loss for Locomotive Drivers in Wulumuqi Railway Board , 2006 .