Loss of Balance Experienced by Industrial Workers Due to Hearing Problems
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Balance, Hearing Problems. Basic parameters: 18 years — 60 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
This study will investigate the balance performance and balance-related activities of daily living in 35 industrial workers with hearing problems exposed to occupational noise, using the Berg Balance Scale and the Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale. The research aims to determine whether there is a statistically significant association between hearing problems, balance performance, and daily noise exposure duration. It is hypothesized that while hearing problems related to occupational noise exposure may exist, they may not be directly associated with clinically significant balance impairment, potentially remaining at a tolerable level in daily life. Furthermore, the correlation between Berg Balance Scale and daily living activity scores will be evaluated to understand the functional impact of balance on these workers.
Detailed description
Background:
Industrial workers are frequently exposed to high levels of occupational noise, which constitutes one of the most common causes of hearing problems and noise-induced hearing loss. In addition to auditory impairment, prolonged noise exposure may affect balance functions due to the close anatomical relationship between the auditory and vestibular systems.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to investigate balance performance and balance-related activities of daily living in industrial workers with hearing problems who are exposed to occupational noise.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study will include 35 industrial workers with hearing problems who are exposed to occupational noise. Balance performance will be assessed using the Berg Balance Scale, and balance-related activities of daily living will be evaluated using the Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale. Sociodemographic characteristics and duration of daily noise exposure will be recorded. Statistical analyses will be performed using non-parametric tests and correlation analysis to identify potential relationships between variables.
Expected Outcome / Conclusion:
The study intends to determine whether balance problems experienced by industrial workers with hearing problems remain at a tolerable level in daily life. It is hypothesized that hearing problems related to occupational noise exposure may not be directly associated with clinically significant balance impairment in this population.
Primary outcome measures
- Berg Balance Scale [Time frame: Day 1]
- Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale [Time frame: Day 1]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Employment in industrial or heavy industrial settings
- Age between 18 and 60 years
- Presence of hearing problems diagnosed prior to or after starting industrial work
Exclusion criteria
- Employment in office-based industrial positions
- Working duration of less than one year
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Ecologic or community
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07515833 · E.83321821-805.02.03-807