P-238 Epidemiological and clinical particularities of hearing loss in teleconsultant a study of 43 cases

• Published in: Occupational and environmental medicine (London, England) England), 2023-03, Vol.80 (Suppl 1), p.A48-A49
• Main Authors: Ayed, Wiem, Brahim, Dorra, Youssef, Imen, Mersni, Mariem, Bahri, Ghada, Said, Hanene Ben, Mechergui, Najla, Ladhari, Nizar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abstracts; Call centers; Deafness; Epidemiology; Hearing loss; Hearing protection; Occupational diseases; Patients; Sex ratio; Signs and symptoms; Statistical analysis; Tinnitus
• ISSN: 1351-0711; 1470-7926
• DOI: 10.1136/OEM-2023-EPICOH.117

IntroductionThe teleconsultant (TC) is the front-line staff who receive or make calls in call centres. Working in a call centre exposes them to various sources of noise, in particular ambient noise and noise from telephone conversations.AimsTo study the epidemiological and clinical particularities of hearing loss in TCTo study the impact of hearing loss on the medical aptitude of patientsMethodsRetrospective descriptive study of TC with hearing loss who consulted the Occupational Medicine Department at Charles Nicolle Hospital over a six-year (January 2016 to November 2022).ResultsOut of 150 patients with hearing loss who consulted our service, 43 patients (28%) occupied the position of TC . The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.65, a statistically significant relationship was found with female gender (p=10–3). A pathological history of depression was associated with the post of TC position (p=0.017, OR=5.622[1.33–23]) . The mean age was 38 ± 6.25 years and the mean job tenure was 9 years [1–36]. The TC post was associated with tinnitus (p=10–3 , OR=5.68[2.522–12.83] , dizziness (p=0.003, OR=5,29 [1.768–15.877] ) and otalgia (p=0.076, OR=3,37 [0.964–11.821] ). Hearing loss and ringing in the ears were found in 73% and 18% of the cases respectively. The average time to onset of symptoms was 13±8 years [1–35] . The hearing deficits presented by the patients were sensorineural hearing loss (74%), mixed hearing loss (16%) and conductive hearing loss (12%). A declaration of the deafness as an occupational disease was indicated in 30% of the cases. Noise avoidance and telephone calls were indicated in 86% and 81% of cases respectively.ConclusionAccording to our study, hearing loss in TC affects women in particular and can be associated with depression. The role of the occupational physician is early detection and prevention of people at risk.