Retrospective Cohort Study of Pure Tone Audiometry Hearing Changes associated with Ototoxic Metals and Solvents, Continuous Noise and Impulse Noise Exposures at Robins Air Force Base from 2001-2019

Author

Ronald Diaz Cataldo Ramos

Date of Award

3-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering Management

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Jeremy M. Slagley, PHD

Abstract

Utilizing DOEHRS-IH and DOEHRS-HC, a retrospective epidemiological study was performed on Robins AFB personnel to investigate relative risks of hearing loss associated with exposures to continuous noise, impulse noise, and ototoxic metals and solvents. An analysis of variance identified age, frequency octave, era and exposure type as influencers of hearing threshold shifts. Risk ratios showed higher risk of hearing loss for exposures to continuous noise + impulse noise + ototoxic metals as well as continuous noise + impulse noise at low frequencies (500Hz and 1,000Hz), and lesser risk for exposures to continuous noise + impulse noise and continuous noise + impulse noise + ototoxic solvents at 4,000Hz.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENV-MS-25-M-085

Comments

An embargo was observed for this posting.

Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited. PA case number 88ABW-2025-0273

Recommended Citation

Diaz Cataldo Ramos, Ronald, "Retrospective Cohort Study of Pure Tone Audiometry Hearing Changes associated with Ototoxic Metals and Solvents, Continuous Noise and Impulse Noise Exposures at Robins Air Force Base from 2001-2019" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 8261.
https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/8261