Introduction: Noise is the most common harmful agent present in industrial environments, leading to hearing loss. Besides noise, chemical agents also present in industries, such as solvents and metals lead to hearing loss. Aim: Evaluation of two groups of workers exposed to industrial noise, one of these groups was exposed to cadmium and the other was not, and verify if the concomitant exposition to cadmium and noise is more harmful than the exposition only to noise. Study design: Clinical prospective. Material and Method: It was realized an audiometric research with 36 employees in a metallurgical industry, who were exposed to noise and cadmium fumes at their work environment, from 1994 to 1998. The obtained results in this group were compared to a control group composed by 36 employees, from the same areas of the factory, therefore exposed only to noise. Results: The analysis of the obtained results showed an auditory damage, mainly at the frequencies of 4000 and 6000 Hz, stronger at the group exposed to noise and cadmium. Conclusion: The results showed a probable ototoxic action of the metal when it is associated with noise exposition.
noise; cadmium; noise induced hearing loss; audiometry; occupational exposure
