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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Semin Hear 2023; 44(04): 437-469
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1769585
Review Article

Audiological Tests Used in the Evaluation of the Effects of Solvents on the Human Auditory System: A Mixed Methods Review

Simone Mariotti Roggia
1   Department of Audiology and Speech Therapy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
,
Fernanda Zucki
1   Department of Audiology and Speech Therapy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
,
Adrian Fuente
2   École d'Orthophonie et d'Audiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
,
Adriana Bender Moreira de Lacerda
2   École d'Orthophonie et d'Audiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
,
Wei Gong
3   Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
,
Krystin Carlson
4   Division of Science Integration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
,
Thais C. Morata
3   Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Abstract

This study aimed to scope the literature, identify knowledge gaps, appraise results, and synthesize the evidence on the audiological evaluation of workers exposed to solvents. We searched Medline, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and NIOSHTIC-2 up to March 22, 2021. Using Covidence, two authors independently assessed study eligibility, risk of bias, and extracted data. National Institute of Health Quality Assessment Tools was used in the quality evaluation of included studies; the Downs and Black checklist was used to assess the risk of bias. Of 454 located references, 37 were included. Twenty-five tests were studied: two tests to measure hearing thresholds, one test to measure word recognition in quiet, six electroacoustic procedures, four electrophysiological tests, and twelve behavioral tests to assess auditory processing skills. Two studies used the Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap. The quality of individual studies was mostly considered moderate, but the overall quality of evidence was considered low. The discrepancies between studies and differences in the methodologies/outcomes prevent recommending a specific test battery to assess the auditory effects of occupational solvents. Decisions on audiological tests for patients with a history of solvent exposures require the integration of the most current research evidence with clinical expertise and stakeholder perspectives.

Keywords

solvents - ototoxicity - work-related hearing loss - scoping review


Publication History

Article published online:
21 July 2023

© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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