OCCUPATIONAL HEARING-LOSS IN WASHINGTON-STATE, 1984-1991 - II - MORBIDITY AND ASSOCIATED COSTS

This study examined 4,547 workers' compensation claims accepted for he aring-related conditions in Washington state between 1984 and 1991; 80 % resulted in disability compensation (n = 3,660). Acute hearing-relat ed conditions comprised 11% of accepted conditions (95% confidence int erval [CI], 2-15%); most claims were for chronic noise-related hearing loss. Tinnitus was reported in 64% of accepted claims (95% CI, 54-75% ). The median binaural-equivalent hearing loss in compensated claims w as 12.5% (inter-quartile interval, 5-22%; 90th percentile, 34%), altho ugh it declined by 30% during the study period. The number of claims a nd associated impairment increased with claimant age, but the number o f claims dropped dramatically after age 65. Annual total disability se ttlements almost tripled in 8 years, totaling $22.8 million. This stud y indicates that occupational hearing-related conditions: 1) are manif ested by mild to moderate hearing loss, accompanied by tinnitus in a m ajority of cases; 2) may be under-recognized ill older formerly noise- exposed individuals; and 3) were associated with substantial increases in compensation and medical costs over time, through 1991. (C) 1998 W iley-Liss, Inc.