Estimated Leisure-Time Noise Exposure, Hearing Thresholds, and Hearing Symptoms of Finnish Conscripts

The aim of this study was to set up a statistical measure for determine the total cumulative noise exposure of Finnish conscripts (n = 1,054) as a result of leisure-time noise activities. All of the conscripts underwent hearing screening. The conscripts' time in noisy activities and their rating of the loudness and estimated noise levels of the activities were used as the predictors in the risk analysis. Self-reported hearing symptoms (i.e., tinnitus, pain in the ear) and hearing loss due to noise exposure were also inquired about. Twenty-seven percent of the conscripts had weekly noise exposure to > 85 dBA. Approximately 20% of the conscripts had >20 dB hearing loss in either ear in the frequency range of 0.5 to 8 kHz. The incidence of hearing symptoms seemed to correlate with an increased noise dose.