Central Auditory Damage Induced by Solvent Exposure

Abstract

Different studies have demonstrated that solvents may induce auditory damage. It has been suggested that part of this damage may be localised in the central auditory pathways. The present study aimed to investigate possible auditory processing disorders related to solvent exposure. Thirty solvent-exposed workers and thirty age and educational level matched controls were selected to participate in the study. To select participants, a questionnaire, otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry and tympanometry were carried out. Filtered speech (FS), Random gap detection (RGD) and Hearing-in-noise (HINT) tests were conducted with the selected participants. Both groups of workers presented with mean normal hearing thresholds. However, significant differences between groups were observed for FS, RGD, and HINT. It is concluded that auditory processing disorders may be associated with solvent exposure.