Evaluation of normal hearing teachers' performance in hearing and speech comprehension in noise

Teachers are exposed to all noises inside and outside the classroom during the school time. This study aims to compare the hearing, speech, and speech understanding in noise performances of normal-hearing teachers with normal-hearing individuals without noise exposure. The study included 16 teachers (14 females, 2 males) aged 25-45, with normal hearing and active duty, and 16 individuals (13 females, 3 males) who without noise exposure. In addition to the standard audiological test battery, high-frequency audiometry, Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE), TEN (Threshold Equalizing Noise) test, Turkish Matrix test, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale and the Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale was applied. While the findings obtained from the tests in the standard test battery in all participants were within normal limits, there was a significant difference between the groups in the acoustic reflex threshold test at 500 and 2000 Hz frequencies in the left ear (p<0,05). According to the findings obtained from other tests; 9 kHz and 11200 Hz frequencies in both ears in intergroup high-frequency audiometry, all frequencies in both ears in the TEN test, all frequencies in the left ear in the DPOAE test, SNR values in all frequencies except 8000 Hz in the right ear, left ear, right ear in Turkish Matrix test a significant difference was obtained in the ear and binaural SNR values (p<0,05). A significant difference was found in all questionnaires and the correlations of the questionnaires with each other (p<0,05). As a result, continuous and regular exposure to noise causes cochlear synaptopathy or hidden hearing loss in teachers. It is thought that the noise in the classroom and outside the classroom increases the auditory symptoms of the teachers and negatively affects them psychologically. Keywords: Noise exposure, cochlear synaptopathy, hidden hearing loss, noise