Pulmonary and auditory function among experienced construction divers: A cross-sectional study

We studied pulmonary and auditory function in a cross-sectional study of 26 experienced construction divers compared with 26 workshop workers matched for age, height and smoking habits. The divers used air as breathing gas an d performed open-sea bounce dives to a maximum of 50 m in sea water. The me an number of dives over a mean diving period of 20 yr (SD = 11) was 4746 (S D = 4743) (Rang: 450-17000). Assessment of lung function included dynamic l ung volume and flow and diffusion capacity (transfer factor) for carbon mon oxide (Tlco). The auditory examination was performed measuring air conducti on thresholds in a cabin. The results show a significantly higher mean forc ed vital capacity (FVC) of 6.01 L (SD = 0.88) in the divers compared with 5 .67 L (SD = 0.84) (p = 0.045) in the controls, and an alveolar volume (VA) Of 7.74 L (SD = 0.99) in the divers compared with 7.35 L (SD = 0.74) (p = 0 .035) in the controls. There was a nonsignificant reduction in forced mid-e xpiratory flow rate (FEF25-75%) and a significant reduction in forced expir atory flow rate at 50% of FVC (FEF50%) among the divers of 4.69 L (SD = 1.4 1) compared with 5.76 L (SD = 2.03) among the controls of (p = 0.03). There were no differences in FEV, and Tlco between the two groups. The divers sh owed reduced auditory function in their left ear compared with their right ear in the 3 kHz (p = 0.006) and 8 kHz (p = 0.022) area. No statistical dif ference was found in hearing thresholds of the divers compared with those o f the controls. Our results indicate that exposure to diving may be associa ted with changes in pulmonary function and that the left ear may be more vu lnerable than the right ear to hearing impairment in construction divers.