Occupational changes in the organ of hearing and equilibrium in sailors and fisherman

Prophylactic examination in persons engaged in fishing industry and in sailors of ocean-going ships demonstrated occupational cochlear neuritis, resulting from the action of noise and vibration. Five hundred and fifty three sailors and fishermen working under conditions of noise were studied. A total of 233 persons 43.7% were found to be suffering from changes of the auditory analyzer typically resulting from the action of noise and vibration. The most pronounced changes of hearing were revealed in fishermen, in 44.8% of the persons examined, the percentage also being the highest among the engine room workers (63%). The incidence of cochlear neuritis in sailors of the ocean-going steamship line and in personnel of research ocean-going ships was almost equal (39.9-40%). These indices differed in the engine room workers (42-46%). Vestibular function was investigated by caloric and rotation tests with the use of electronystagmography. The data obtained point to diminution of the vestibular analyzer excitability with increase of the length of navigation service.