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Question: hi, i live in Canada and worked as an assembly line worker at a chrysler plant.I had previous hearing
loss due to noise exposure(Dec 2013). The company moved me to another job in March 2014.
.I had worked on this job for 3 months .In XXXXXXX they put another air gun on my job to fasten
a lock nut.The sound of this gun is similar to the machine gun.I have some background
in physics so i can say this sound is of low frequency(such as jackhammer inconstruction business).
The noise was loud. i measured the peak noise at 95-105 decibel with a rental noise meter.
after one day the noise started bother me so i put on a good ear muff(29decibel retention as advertised).After 10 days i felt i want to fall while walking.Now i am on sick leave because i
can not work on assembly line with balance walking problem.I did see a Ent specialist
but he said noise induced hearing loss does not damage the vestibular organs .I do research
on line and a lots of experts said too loud noise can cause damage to the vestibular organ.
i fully understand the medical community does not accept that in general.
Those case very rare.As far as i understand those experts say noise may cause damage to
balance system if 1/ the noise is loud.
2/the noise frequency is low because vestibular hair cell is in tune
with low frequency.
3/ different in hearing loss in both ears.
in my case those conditons fit perfectly.my hearing is better in my right ones.
the noise sound like machine gun
the noise is loud.
i would appriciate you give me your advice on tis matter,
Thanks
loss due to noise exposure(Dec 2013). The company moved me to another job in March 2014.
.I had worked on this job for 3 months .In XXXXXXX they put another air gun on my job to fasten
a lock nut.The sound of this gun is similar to the machine gun.I have some background
in physics so i can say this sound is of low frequency(such as jackhammer inconstruction business).
The noise was loud. i measured the peak noise at 95-105 decibel with a rental noise meter.
after one day the noise started bother me so i put on a good ear muff(29decibel retention as advertised).After 10 days i felt i want to fall while walking.Now i am on sick leave because i
can not work on assembly line with balance walking problem.I did see a Ent specialist
but he said noise induced hearing loss does not damage the vestibular organs .I do research
on line and a lots of experts said too loud noise can cause damage to the vestibular organ.
i fully understand the medical community does not accept that in general.
Those case very rare.As far as i understand those experts say noise may cause damage to
balance system if 1/ the noise is loud.
2/the noise frequency is low because vestibular hair cell is in tune
with low frequency.
3/ different in hearing loss in both ears.
in my case those conditons fit perfectly.my hearing is better in my right ones.
the noise sound like machine gun
the noise is loud.
i would appriciate you give me your advice on tis matter,
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Loud noise can cause dizziness...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query and an elaborate history. I have gone through history thoroughly and understood your problem well. I'll try my best to help you with this problem.
1. Loud noise can cause dizziness due to damage to the sensitive labyrinth. The explanation is, during exposure to loud sound, the middle ear ossicles vibrate with a great speed so as to damage the delicate round window membrane.
Round window membrane is the covering over the round window, which vibrates with opposite phase to vibrations entering the inner ear through the oval window. It allows fluid in the cochlea to move, which in turn ensures that hair cells of the basilar membrane will be stimulated and that audition will occur.
During exposure to loud sounds there will be either rupture of the round window membrane or trauma to the membranous labyrinth causing mixing of the inner ear fluids. This alters the sodium and potassium concentration in the inner ear, thus inducing dizziness. Eventually, it takes a long time to repair, as the membranes re-rupture following subtle changes in the sound frequency and thus the repeated episodes of dizziness. This phenomenon is very much similar to that of Meneiere's disease.
2. You may require the following medicines:
a. Labyrinthine sedatives such as Cinnarizine or Betahistine for the improvement in the micro-ear circulation and reduction of swelling in the inner ear membranes.
b. Anti-edema measures to reduce the pressure in the inner ear.
c. Avoiding excess salt in the diet.
d. Avoiding strenuous work or exercises
3. Consult a good neuro-otologist who can help you with this problem.
Hope this answers your query; I'll be available for the follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Loud noise can cause dizziness...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query and an elaborate history. I have gone through history thoroughly and understood your problem well. I'll try my best to help you with this problem.
1. Loud noise can cause dizziness due to damage to the sensitive labyrinth. The explanation is, during exposure to loud sound, the middle ear ossicles vibrate with a great speed so as to damage the delicate round window membrane.
Round window membrane is the covering over the round window, which vibrates with opposite phase to vibrations entering the inner ear through the oval window. It allows fluid in the cochlea to move, which in turn ensures that hair cells of the basilar membrane will be stimulated and that audition will occur.
During exposure to loud sounds there will be either rupture of the round window membrane or trauma to the membranous labyrinth causing mixing of the inner ear fluids. This alters the sodium and potassium concentration in the inner ear, thus inducing dizziness. Eventually, it takes a long time to repair, as the membranes re-rupture following subtle changes in the sound frequency and thus the repeated episodes of dizziness. This phenomenon is very much similar to that of Meneiere's disease.
2. You may require the following medicines:
a. Labyrinthine sedatives such as Cinnarizine or Betahistine for the improvement in the micro-ear circulation and reduction of swelling in the inner ear membranes.
b. Anti-edema measures to reduce the pressure in the inner ear.
c. Avoiding excess salt in the diet.
d. Avoiding strenuous work or exercises
3. Consult a good neuro-otologist who can help you with this problem.
Hope this answers your query; I'll be available for the follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2540 Questions
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