Noise is the primary cause of hearing loss during space flight. Throughout every phase of flight, particularly during launch, a significant amount of noise is generated and transferred via the vehicle\'s structure to the places inhabited by the crew. The results of the previous studies provide insights into space flights that may have significant effects on hearing loss. Certain precautions must be taken to ensure the habitability of the spacecraft and prevent potential hearing loss in astronauts or space flight participants.

Musicians are at risk of hearing loss and tinnitus due to regular exposure to high levels of noise. This level of risk may have been underestimated previously since damage to the auditory system, such as cochlear synaptopathy, may not be easily detectable using standard clinical measures. Most previous research investigating hearing loss in musicians has involved cross-sectional study designs that may capture only a snapshot of hearing health in relation to noise exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cumulative noise exposure on behavioural, electrophysiological, and self-report indices of hearing damage in early-career musicians and non-musicians with normal hearing over a 2-year period. Participants completed an annual test battery consisting of pure tone audiometry, extended high-frequency hearing thresholds, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), speech perception in noise, auditory brainstem responses, and self-report measures of tinnitus, hyperacusis, and hearing in background noise. Participants also completed the Noise Exposure Structured Interview to estimate cumulative noise exposure across the study period. Linear mixed models assessed changes over time. The longitudinal analysis comprised 64 early-career musicians (female n = 34; age range at T0 = 18-26 years) and 30 non-musicians (female n = 20; age range at T0 = 18-27 years). There were few longitudinal changes as a result of musicianship. Small improvements over time in some measures may be attributable to a practice/test-retest effect. Some measures (e.g., DPOAE indices of outer hair cell function) were associated with noise exposure at each time point, but did not show a significant change over time. A small proportion of participants reported a worsening of their tinnitus symptoms, which participants attributed to noise exposure, or not using hearing protection. Future longitudinal studies should attempt to capture the effects of noise exposure over a longer period, taken at several time points, for a precise measure of how hearing changes over time. Hearing conservation programmes for \"at risk\" individuals should closely monitor DPOAEs to detect early signs of noise-induced hearing loss when audiometric thresholds are clinically normal.

Environmental and occupational noise has the potential to result in health risks. The presence of high noise levels aboard ships can cause substantial hazards that affect the well-being of those employed in the maritime industry. The study and implementation of occupational noise reduction aboard ships are of the highest priority for ensuring the well-being of marine workers, compliance with regulatory standards, protection of the environment, and improvement of overall operational efficiency and safety within the maritime sector. A scoping study was conducted to collect and summarize the existing scientific literature about approaches to preventing occupational noise in vessel operations. We searched electronic databases for papers published up to June 2024. Initially, 94 articles were identified for screening, and the present research produced 16 studies, which were finally analyzed. Resultantly, noise control may begin with elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, and hearing protection (ear plugs or muffs). Noise control innovation would be started with engineering techniques. Hearing protection devices (HPDs) could be used to reduce noise and as an instrument of communication between sailors. More research needs to be carried out in order to find the best ways for maritime vessels to reduce noise at work and to see how well they work in lowering the risks that come with noise for workers on board.

Most occupational hazardous agents in workplaces should be evaluated and controlled. Different methods exist for identifying, evaluating and controlling these agents, such as numerical simulation tools. Numerical simulations can help experts to improve occupational health. Due to the importance and abilities of numerical simulations, this study divided occupational hazardous agents into 10 subgroups. These subgroups included air pollution, ventilation, respiratory airways, noise and vibration, lighting, radiation, ergonomics, fire and explosion, risk assessment and personal protective equipment. Recent research studies in each subgroup were then reviewed, and the codes and software used in simulations were determined. The results show that Fluent software and k-ϵ turbulence models are the most used in occupational health studies simulations. Today, different codes and software have been developed for simulation, and we suggest their use in occupational health studies.

Objectives. This study aimed to assess noise levels in various units in hospitals and explore the correlation between healthcare employees\' daily noise exposure level (Lex,8h) and their stress and symptoms. Methods. A healthcare facility was selected to study noise pollution. Personal noise dosimeters were used during 8-h working shifts. Data were collected from 126 employees using the 36-item \'A stress scale\' and a socio-demographic information form. Results. The results of noise measurements exceeded World Health Organization and US Environmental Protection Agency recommended limits at all sites. The lowest Lex,8h (52 dB) was detected in the endocrinology clinic, while the highest (91 dB) was recorded in the podology unit. According to the stress scale scores, the lowest mean psychological symptom score (PsSS), physiological symptom score (PhSS) and total scale score (TSS) were observed in diagnostic units with 35 ± 14, 41 ± 14 and 76 ± 27, respectively, while the highest mean PsSS, PhSS and TSS were observed in the polyclinics with 44 ± 6, 64 ± 10 and 107 ± 10, respectively. The PsSS of employees exposed to noise (Lex,8h) above 75 dB was found to be higher than for other employees. Conclusion. Lex,8h above 75 dB can increase psychological symptoms in healthcare employees.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of silicone earplugs in protecting workers exposed to noise in a typical manufacturing environment, and to provide training interventions for workers who do not achieve the anticipated noise reduction levels, as well as examining the spectral characteristics of earplug attenuation. Methods: From June to August 2022, a total of 294 noise-exposed workers in two manufacturing enterprises equipped with the same type of earplug were studied by cluster sampling method, by conducting questionnaire surveys, collecting data, fitting tests, and providing trainings, the current noise exposure levels of workers in the industry as well as the perception about the earplug were understood. Additionally, the attenuation before and after intervention in workplace were measured, the spectral characteristics of noise reduction were were described and compared. Results: The percentage of workers with Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) of 0 is 32.7% (96/294), and the baseline pass rates are all below 60%. There were no significant differences in pass rates based on gender, age, noise exposure, education level, or cognition of earplug effectiveness. After adjusting the way that earplugs are worn or changing the type of earplugs, all workers were able to meet their noise reduction requirements. The median PAR improvement for both companies is above 10 dB. The noise attenuation of the earplug vary with frequency, with lower attenuation at 4 000 Hz and higher attenuation at 8 000 Hz, showing some deviation from the nominal values. Conclusion: The difference between the actual sound attenuation value of earplugs and the nominal value is related to the noise frequency. When using silicone earplugs, attention should be paid to the spectral composition of the noise in the workplace.
目的： 评估制造业企业噪声暴露工人佩戴某预制型硅胶耳塞的防护效果，对未达到预期降噪水平的工人进行培训干预，并了解耳塞衰减的频谱特征。 方法： 于2022年6至8月，选择两家配发同种耳塞的制造企业，采用整群抽样方法选择294名噪声暴露岗位工人作为研究对象，通过问卷调查、资料收集、声衰减测试及培训干预，对企业工人声暴露现状及对佩戴耳塞的主观认知、耳塞佩戴的实际衰减及干预后的衰减及硅胶耳塞降噪的频谱特征进行描述与组间比较。 结果： 基线个人声衰减值（personal attenuation rating，PAR）值为0的工人占32.7%（96/294），两企业PAR基线通过率均不足60%；不同性别、年龄、接噪工龄、受教育程度及工人对耳塞主观认知差异的PAR基线通过率差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。干预后两企业工人PAR提升值中位数均>10 dB；不同频率的PAR差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）；PAR与标称值在4 000 Hz处差距较大。 结论： 耳塞的实际声衰减值与标称值之间的差值与噪声频率有关，使用硅胶耳塞时需要关注场所噪声的频谱成份。.

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to noise by generation of free radicals causes oxidative stress in body. The aim of this study was the evaluation of oxidative stress in workers who have used hearing protection devices during working time.
METHODS: Pressing workers (n=24) of a home appliance industry were studied using hearing protection devices to reduce noise exposure. Twenty two office staff (without exposure to noise) were considered as a control group. Two groups were matched for age, work experience and smoking. Exposure to noise was measured by dosimeter method at workstations. By obtaining 3 ml blood sample, Malondialdehyde levels, Thiol groups and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated in all subjects.
RESULTS: Exposure to sound pressure level in pressing workers by considering the noise reduction factor of the earplug was observed in 77.65 dB with minimum 75.1 dB and Maximum 81.22 dB. Plasma thiol groups (0.076 (0.041-0.119) vs (0.110 (0.076-0.197), mmol/l P =0.0001) and total antioxidant capacity (361.33± 54.65 vs 414.14± 96.82, µmol/ml P = 0.026) in pressing workers significantly decreased than control group. Pearson correlation showed significant results between exposure to noise and oxidative stress parameters.
CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to noise wave cause oxidative stress in different site of body. Oxidative stress is an intermediate way for different disease due to noise exposure. Reducing of noise exposure by earplug in pressing workers is not efficient protection for oxidative stress generation. Therefore, hearing protection devices are not a barrier to the harmful effects of noise in occupational exposure.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand the health of workers exposed to occupational noise and explore the influencing factors related to workers\' health, especially the impact of noise on workers\' hearing. This work can provide a basis for formulating relevant measures for occupational noise prevention and control in the future.
METHODS: On the basis of the key occupational disease monitoring project in Chongqing, China, in 2021, the data of 1125 workers exposed to occupational noise were analyzed. Data included demographic information, occupational history, clinical physical examination information, and noise detection information of the working environment. Chi-square test and multifactorial logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS: The prevalence rates of abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure (BP), and pure tone audiometry (PTA) were 21.9% (246/1125), 27.8% (313/1125), and 18.0% (202/1125), respectively. Male workers accounted for 78.8%. Compared with male workers, female workers had a lower prevalence of abnormal PTA (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.16-0.50). Workers working in medium enterprises had a lower prevalence of abnormal BP than workers in micro enterprises (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.19-0.66). The prevalence of abnormal BP and PTA of workers increased with age. After adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index, the prevalence of abnormal ECG of mining workers was higher than that of manufacturing workers (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.07-2.24), and the prevalence of abnormal PTA had a rising trend with the increase in noise exposure value.
CONCLUSIONS: Noise-exposed workers have a high prevalence of abnormal ECG, BP, and PTA, and factors such as age, enterprise size, and workplace noise exposure are correlated with the aberrant health of workers. Governments, enterprises, and individuals need to attach great importance to the possible adverse effects of noise. They must also actively adopt various effective measures to protect the occupational safety and health of workers.

OBJECTIVE: In view of the hazards of occupational noise exposure, this study investigated the relationship between occupational noise exposure and gestational hypertension in Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, China to provide inspiration and reference for reducing the occurrence of gestational hypertension.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed the clinical data of 316 pregnant women in Taizhou City admitted to Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University from May 2020 to May 2023. In accordance with Acoustic Environment Quality Standards (GB3096-2008), 60 dB was used as the cut-off point. These pregnant women were divided into the low noise group (LNG, n = 161) and high noise group (HNG, n = 155) according to the noise exposure level in the working environment. This also study compared the noise exposure, blood pressure (BP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood lipid (BL), fetal size, and heart rate (HR), and analyzed the relationship of noise exposure with BP, FBG, BL, fetal size, HR, and occurrence of gestational hypertension.
RESULTS: The HNG had higher noise exposure level (P < 0.001), BP, FBG, BL and HR (P < 0.001), larger fetal size (P < 0.001) and higher occurrence of gestational hypertension (P < 0.05) compared with the LNG. Correlation analysis showed that noise exposure level was positively correlated with BP, FBG, BL, HR, and fetal size (P < 0.001) and had the strongest association with gestational hypertension.
CONCLUSIONS: Occupational noise exposure has adverse effects on pregnant women and fetuses. Pregnant women should pay attention to their exposure to occupational noise to prevent gestational hypertension. The results of this study must be further verified and generalized.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the effect of noise in the emergency department on the occupational burnout and the resignation intentions of medical staff.
METHODS: This retrospective study selected 42 medical staff (group A) in the emergency department of our hospital from March 2020 to March 2021 and 39 medical staff (group B) in the rehabilitation department during the same period as research subjects. Noise levels in the daily working environment of medical staff were collected. The Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey and Intent to Leave Scale was used to evaluate occupational burnout and resignation intention. A multivariate linear regression analysis was adopted to explore the effects of noise exposure level in the emergency department on occupational burnout and resignation intention.
RESULTS: The scores of emotional fatigue, work apathy and sense of achievement in group A were higher than those in group B (P < 0.05), among which reverse scoring was adopted for sense of accomplishment. Group A had significantly higher scores of resignation intention I, resignation intention II and resignation intention III than group B (P < 0.001). The department of group A had significantly higher noise level than that of group B (P < 0.001). The Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that noise level in the emergency department was correlated with the occupational burnout and resignation intention of medical staff (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The emergency department is exposed to a high noise level, which is correlated with the occupational burnout and resignation intentions of medical staff. Therefore, hospitals should give importance to noise exposure in the emergency departments and adopt positive coping strategies to reduce the effect of noise on medical staff and the resignation rate.