Characteristics of tinnitus in workers exposed to occupational noise: a systematic review.

Abstract

Tinnitus is an auditory symptom characterized by the perception of sound without an external source and is often associated with occupational noise exposure. This study aimed to analyze the possible characteristics of tinnitus in workers exposed to occupational noise. This is a systematic literature review conducted by researchers who independently performed the search and analysis of articles. Searches were conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Scopus, and Web of Science databases as well as Google Scholar, used as a source of gray literature. The review question was: "What are the characteristics of tinnitus in workers exposed to occupational noise?" Descriptors were selected from the Medical Subject Headings and the Health Sciences Descriptors. A total of 1,002 studies were identified, and after analysis, only 7 were included in the review. Studies indicated that tinnitus was predominantly perceived in both ears, with a high-pitched tone. Loudness was classified as mild to moderate. The type of tinnitus was described as a "whistle" or "hissing." Periodicity was mostly intermittent. In individuals exposed to occupational noise, tinnitus is bilateral, high-pitched, mild to moderate in loudness, tonal, and intermittent. Monitoring tinnitus and its characteristics in workers is essential for auditory and mental health.