The high prevalence of occupational hearing loss in the structure of occupational morbidity of workers in the Russian Federation determines the relevance of the problem, which has not only medical, but also socio-economic and deontological aspects for society as a whole. Since the regulations for establishing the professional cause of the disease provide for the stages of establishing preliminary and final diagnoses, the final decisions on the cause of hearing organ disease may not always coincide and satisfy either the patient or the employer. This situation leads to the development of protracted, conflict situations up to litigation, which undoubtedly worsen the quality of life of the employee and the doctor. In order to streamline organizational work and improve the quality of medical care for workers exposed to intense industrial noise in the course of production activities, in 2018 and in 2024 were developed the Clinical Recommendations (CR) “Noise-induced hearing loss” (No. 609 in the Rubric of Clinical Recommendations of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation), aimed at the practical application of unified and unified approaches of all specialists involved in the medical provision of workers exposed to industrial noise, have been updated and approved by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.
OBJECTIVE
To carry out an analytical review of the main provisions of the updated Clinical Recommendations “Hearing loss caused by noise” (2024) to increase awareness of medical specialists in the prevention of occupational hearing disorders in workers of noise-hazardous professions.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Analysis of the main provisions of the Clinical Recommendations “Noise-induced hearing loss” (2018, 2024). The main points of diagnosis, examination, rehabilitation and prevention of auditory function disorders aimed at unified approaches of medical specialists involved in the medical provision of workers in noise-hazardous professions are highlighted and discussed.
RESULTS
Updated Clinical Recommendations No. 609 “Noise-induced hearing loss” (2024) contain the main sections devoted to modern aspects of diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, examination of the connection of hearing organ disease with the profession and determination of professional suitability for various degrees of severity of hearing loss from noise exposure. The recommendations have a high level of credibility and reliability of evidence.
CONCLUSION
The updated version of the CR No. 609 (2024) is necessary for the integrated interaction of specialists involved in diagnostic and expert work in assessing the hearing condition of workers in noise-hazardous professions. The CR is aimed at improving the quality of prevention of hearing impairment in workers of noise-hazardous professions and the practical application of unified approaches to diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, and solving issues of examination of the connection of hearing organ disease with the profession and professional suitability for various degrees of severity of hearing loss caused by noise.
