Noise-induced hearing loss factors affecting workers decision to submit a disability claim

Luba Poshnoi, Rafael Carel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Noise-induced hearing loss is recognized worldwide as a prevalent work-related morbidity and is the most common compensated occupational disease in Israel. Despite extended legislation, hearing conservation programs, surveillance and biological monitoring (by audiometry) of work sites and workers, the burden of this injury remains high. As a rule, afflicted workers refrain from filing compensation claims and do so only at later stages when both subjective and objective evidence of advanced hearing loss is present. We have evaluated the determinants that seem to influence the decision of an individual worker to file a claim. We found that the major determinants are subjective perception of the level of hearing disability and clinical symptoms such as: tinnitus (OR=3.3 with CI 95%=2.1-5.2), verbal communication disturbances (OR=2.7, 95% CI=1.9-3.8), complaints of dizziness (OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.4-2.5), severity of hearing impairment (by audiometry with OR=1.04, 95% CI=1.02-1.06) and musculoskeletal complaints (OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.2-2.2). These findings attest to the relatively late stage in the development of noiseinduced hearing loss at which workers file a claim for compensation and rehabilitation. In order to alleviate the burden of this injury in the future and encourage workers to approach the National Insurance Institute at an earlier stage, we suggest several ways of intervention and improving the awareness of all parties concerned.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)106-109
Number of pages4
JournalHarefuah
Volume143
Issue number2
StatePublished - Feb 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Dizzines
  • Noise induced hearing loss
  • Tinnitus
  • Workmen's compensation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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