The Risk of Temporary Hearing Threshold Shift in Bartenders

Although entertainment industry workers can be overexposed to noise, the risk of hearing loss in this sector is not fully recognized. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between sound levels and temporary threshold shift (TTS) in bartenders and to compare the observed TTS values with the values predicted using a computational model that links the impact of loud incidents with the A-weighted sound pressure level and time of exposure (Mills et al., 1979). The study comprised 18 young bartenders working in music club, pub and discotheque. Personal dosimeters were used to determine daily noise levels at work and noise frequency characteristics. Hearing was evaluated by pre- and post-exposure pure tone audiometry. A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq,T) ranged from 81 to 103 dB(A). TTS values (>10 dBHL) were significant at 4 kHz for both ears in 11 out of 18 individuals. The correlation between TTS and personal exposure was found at 3, 4 and 8 kHz. The actual TTS values were smaller than predicted according to the model. Bartenders constitute a population at an increased risk of hearing loss, thus implementing hearing protection programs in this group is urgently needed.