Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL): medical and legal aspects

Abstract

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most prevalent occupational diseases in the world. NIHL is a serious public health problem, considering that it involves irreversible but preventable damage and affects a large number of people. Problem: Prevention, treatment, and formulation of public policies to address NIHL involve professionals from different areas, and this complex public health problem requires integrated multidisciplinary action and a dialogue between the various specialties involved. Objective: The objective of this study is to describe noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) according to concepts brought by medical sciences and Brazilian laws and regulations applicable to this pathology, bringing together the views of medicine and law on the problem, in an interdisciplinary approach. From a legal perspective, it was considered that this pathology, because it is caused by risk factors in the work environment, has an accidental legal nature, in order to seek its legal regime. The justifications for choosing this topic are the necessary interdisciplinary approach to this occupational disease, the scarcity of texts that promote this form of approach in the scientific literature in general, which brings works with a more specific bias towards the medical or legal areas, without the necessary interdisciplinarity, and the lack of specific public policies to address this problem. Method: An exploratory-descriptive method was adopted, with a collection method encompassing bibliographic research. Results: The bases of the auditory phenomenon and the consequences of NIHL, as well as the Brazilian legal regime applicable to this occupational disease, were described. Conclusion: It was concluded that the current applicable standards may be insufficient for adequate prevention, reducing underreporting and offering sufficient support to workers affected by NIHL, and that an interdisciplinary approach can contribute to better formulation of policies aimed at addressing this public health problem.