Special Aspects of Rehabilitation Programs Organization of Locomotive Crews Employees with Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: a Review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Preserving the health of the working population is a priority task of modern medicine; in this case, special attention should be paid to specialists working under the influence of harmful production factors, such as noise, vibration and other physical and chemical factors. Such professional groups include employees of railway transport, in particular, employees of locomotive crews. The most common occupational disease in this occupational group is sensorineural hearing loss. The review presented the main areas of work on the treatment and rehabilitation of locomotive crews workers, depending on the degree of hearing loss. The effectiveness of early diagnosis, the need to form risk groups for dynamic observation and in-depth examination, the use of various medicinal and physical methods to restore auditory function in the initial manifestations of hearing loss, which will keep qualified personnel able to work in their profession, were analyzed. Non-specific changes associated with noise exposure and methods for their correction were also considered. AIM. To summarize literature data on the organization of rehabilitation programs for employees of locomotive crews with occupational sensorineural hearing loss. CONCLUSION. The development of rehabilitation programs for the correction of auditory function in employees of locomotive crews requires an integrated approach, with the earliest possible start of rehabilitation measures, the use of medical and physical methods of medical rehabilitation.