Are Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Losses Always Bilateral and Symmetrical?
Typically, work-related noise-induced hearing loss is a bilateral, symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss with a notch at 3 kHz, 4 kHz or 6 kHz. There are some data indicating that 6kHz notches are more common than 4kHz notches in these hearing losses, especially in women. There are some exceptions where asymmetrical occupational-related hearing loss may occur. Aside from acoustic trauma to one ear, causes may include a poorly fitting earplug/hearing protection device in one ear, employees who remove the hearing protection device in one ear (such as to use the telephone), or an employee who uses a loud two-way radio in one ear, for example. In addition to following your standard protocol for asymmetrical hearing losses, it is helpful to try and identify these causes or others that contribute to occupationally-related asymmetric hearing loss in order to prevent further progression. This Ask the Expert question was based on information in the recorded course, Investigating Work-Related H
