Abstract
Inspite of rapid increase of the “noise-evvironment” in our society, systematic studies of recent cases with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) are insufficient. Clinicostatistical study for NIHL was attempted to analyze 316 NIHL patients (286 male and 29 female, 6-75 years of age) from 1977 to 1990.
The number of NIHL patients in result, especially older patients above 60 years of age, tended to gradually increase year after year. This tendency appeared to be associated with a higher incidence of mild NIHL. Furthermore, It was a notable fact that patients with NIHL by noise exposure without self awareness increased in number.
Some unconcious environmetal noise exposures in our recent life style might be involved in the cause of NIHL.
