Association between Simultaneous Occurrence of Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Noise-Induced Vestibular Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

Hamed  Nadri; Ali  Khavanin; In-Ju  Kim; Mehdi  Akbari; Farshad  Nadri

doi:10.18502/ijph.v52i4.12436

Hamed Nadri Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran
Ali Khavanin Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
In-Ju Kim Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, College of Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Mehdi Akbari Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Farshad Nadri Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Kermanshah Medical Sciences University, Kermanshah, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v52i4.12436

Keywords: Noise-induced hearing loss; Noise-induced vestibular dysfunction; Occupational noise exposure

Abstract

Background: Background: Because of functional and structural similarities between the cochlea and vestibular sensory receptors, vestibular dysfunction could be accompanied by noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) due to occupational noise exposure. We aimed to evaluate the occurrence of vestibular dysfunction (VD) in individuals with NIHL and occupational noise exposure.

Methods: A systematic literature research was carried out within the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science for published articles between 1980 and Jan 5, 2023 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The methodological quality of the included systematic reviews was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Vestibular system dysfunction parameters were considered as primary outcomes in subjects with NIHL.

Results: We reviewed the evidence (from 19 eligible articles) for VD from noise-induced damage to peripheral vestibular structures. VD can occur after occupational noise exposure or concomitantly with NIHL. Furthermore, this study showed that the saccular organ has a higher susceptibility to noise damage than the vestibular organs of the utricle and semicircular canals (SCCs).

Conclusion: Our results support the role of occupational noise exposure and NIHL as risk factors for developing VD. Further research is needed to investigate the association between the occurrence of VD due to occupational noise exposure or concomitantly with NIHL.