Ni Putu Oktaviani Rinika Pranitasari, I Dewa Gede Arta Eka Putra, I Putu Yupindra Pradiptha, Komang Andi Dwi Saputra

PEMETAAN KEBISINGAN DAN SKRINING PENDENGARAN SEBAGAI UPAYA DETEKSI DINI GANGGUAN PENDENGARAN AKIBAT BISING DI SEKOLAH

Introduction

pemetaan kebisingan dan skrining pendengaran sebagai upaya deteksi dini gangguan pendengaran akibat bising di sekolah. Deteksi dini gangguan pendengaran akibat bising di sekolah melalui pemetaan kebisingan dan skrining pendengaran. Pelajari upaya pencegahan dan hasil di SMKN 1 Denpasar.

Abstract

  Noise consists of a blend of pure tone sounds that vary in fequency. Noise levels that exceed 85 dB can damage the inner ear and may lead to hearing loss. Common sources of  noise include occupational, leisure and academic environments. Noise-induced hearing loss is a permanent condition, so taking preventive measure is essential. To help reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss, community service activities are organized for the students of SMKN 1 Denpasar. Learning material about noise-induced hearing loss was presented to 158 students. An ear examination was performed on 48 machinary students, which showed that 1 student had unilateral CSOM and 8 students had earwax buildup. An audiometric screening identified 1 student with unilateral mild CHL and 47 students with normal hearing threshold (500 to 4k Hz). However, 5 of these students showed a decrease in hearing at the 6000 and 8000 Hz frequencies. Noise measurements with a sound level meter indicated that the activity in the practical room produced a sound intensity exceeding 97 dB. This social activity concluded with the distribution of 50 pieces of hearing protection. We hope this program can increase the awareness, promote early detection and prevent noise-induced hearing loss in school. Keywords: Academic noise, hearing screening, hearing loss, noise mapping, hearing protection

Review

This paper presents a highly relevant and proactive community service initiative aimed at the early detection and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among students in a vocational high school in Denpasar. The multi-faceted approach, encompassing educational sessions, comprehensive hearing screenings (including otoscopy and audiometry), and environmental noise mapping, provides a strong framework for addressing a critical public health issue in academic settings. The direct distribution of hearing protection further demonstrates a practical commitment to immediate risk mitigation. The work highlights the often-overlooked problem of hazardous noise levels in school environments, particularly in vocational tracks, and the necessity of such integrated programs to safeguard student health. The findings from this intervention are particularly insightful. The audiometric screening, while showing predominantly normal hearing thresholds in speech frequencies for the majority, critically identified a concerning decrease in hearing at 6000 and 8000 Hz in five students. This high-frequency notch is a hallmark indicator of early NIHL, underscoring the success of the screening in detecting subtle but significant changes before they impact daily communication. Coupled with the environmental measurements revealing noise levels exceeding 97 dB in practical rooms, these results paint a clear picture of a high-risk environment and a vulnerable student population. The concurrent discovery of earwax buildup and CSOM in some students also highlights the importance of comprehensive ear health assessments alongside hearing screening. For future iterations or a more comprehensive publication, several aspects could enhance the impact and rigor of this commendable work. Firstly, a clearer delineation of the 48 "machinery students" from the larger group of 158 would be beneficial, specifying their direct exposure to the identified high-noise environments. Quantifying the observed "decrease" at 6000 and 8000 Hz (e.g., specific threshold shifts) would strengthen the objective evidence of early NIHL. Furthermore, exploring the students' knowledge and attitudes both pre- and post-intervention, beyond just awareness, could offer deeper insights into the program's educational effectiveness. Finally, establishing a framework for long-term follow-up to assess the sustained use of hearing protection and monitor hearing health outcomes would significantly contribute to the literature on NIHL prevention in educational settings.

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