Brainstem evoked response audiometry in stone cutting workers at a construction site

Context: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most prevalent and preventable occupational disease in developing countries. Manufacturing industry workers and other sector industries with special profession where exposure to noise is inevitable are the victims of NIHL. Pure tone audiometry has widely been used to establish the prevalence of NIHL. Brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA) offers an objective assessment of the auditory pathway from receptor to cortex. Aims: With paucity of data among stone cutting workers, the present study evaluated this cohort using BERA to assess involvement of the auditory pathway. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods : A total of 31 cases and 30 controls underwent BERA after its selection following inclusion and exclusion criteria. Statistical Methods : Data obtained was compared using unpaired student′s t-test between means of cases and controls. Results: Absolute peak BERA waveform I, III and III latencies on left side and wave I latencies on the right side showed significant prolongation (P < 0.05). Inter-peak latencies I-III, I-V, and III-V differences were non-significant. Mode BERA threshold values were 60 dB and 40 dB for cases and controls respectively. Conclusion: Study concluded with the observations that, workers engaged in stone cutting are at the risk of developing NIHL (mild to moderate) that may affect the peripheral component of the auditory pathway.