Cláudia de Oliveira Gonçalves | Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná (original) (raw)

Papers by Cláudia de Oliveira Gonçalves

International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology, 2014

Hearing is the main sensory access in the first years of life. Therefore, early detection and int... more Hearing is the main sensory access in the first years of life. Therefore, early
detection and intervention of hearing impairment must begin before the first year of age.
Objective To analyze the results of the electrophysiological hearing assessment of
children at risk for hearing loss as part of the newborn hearing screening (NHS).

Purpose: to analyze the perception and knowledge of dentists on occupational noise, its preventio... more Purpose: to analyze the perception and knowledge of dentists on occupational noise, its prevention, and effects on their health and quality of life. Methods: a cross-sectional study carried out with 54 dentists of both genders. Two questionnaires were applied: one addressing issues of perception and knowledge on noise and its effects, and another on Quality of Life (SF 36). Results: the workplace noise was considered within medium intensity, and a health risk. Some professionals (59.2%) reported knowing noise prevention methods, although they do not use them. Complaints and the most frequently reported symptoms were irritability, difficulty in understanding speech and tinnitus. The perception of the Quality of Life was worse among men. There was association between pain and perception of noise intensity. Conclusion: noise was considered, regardless of gender, harmful to health and associated with perception of musculoskeletal pain. Symptoms and complaints caused by noise have been reported to negatively impact the professional activity of dentists, however, most of them do not adopt preventive measures.

Resumo: Introdução: A atividade de mineração é responsável por grande parte do desenvolvimento econômico mundial. O Brasil possui 3.370 minas espalhadas em suas regiões. Apesar da importância social e econômica, a extração de minério envolve características específicas relacionadas às precárias condições de trabalho. Objetivo: Analisar as condições de trabalho em uma mineradora de ouro subterrânea no Sul do Brasil a partir das percepções de trabalhadores e responsáveis pela empresa. Métodos: Estudo transversal, de abordagem quanti-qualitativa. O estudo foi desenvolvido em três etapas: análise documental da empresa; análise de 125 prontuários dos mineradores; e investigação da percepção dos trabalhadores através de Grupo Focal com seis trabalhadores e entrevistas com três profissionais de saúde e segurança. Resultados: Na análise dos prontuários 12,06% apresentaram carboxihemoglobina alteradas; 10,14% RX de tórax alterados e 42,06% audiometria tonal alteradas. Emergiram cinco categorias de análise sobre a percepção dos trabalhadores e três sobre a percepção dos profissionais de saúde e segurança. Conclusão: Há conformismo dos trabalhadores com as condições precárias de trabalho, mesmo levando ao adoecimento, verificado nos exames médicos e relatos. Não se observou tentativas de superação dessa realidade nem por parte dos trabalhadores como pelos profissionais da saúde e segurança. Palavras-chave: Exposição a riscos, minerador, condições de trabalho.

Introduction: Tinnitus is one of the most reported auditory symptoms among musicians and can nega... more Introduction: Tinnitus is one of the most reported auditory symptoms among musicians and can negatively influence
their ability to work, sometimes even more severely than hearing loss. Objectives: To analyze the occurrence of
tinnitus and other auditory symptoms in musicians who play different instruments. Methods: One hundred musicians
participated by answering a questionnaire on instrument played, practice time with the instrument, occurrence of
tinnitus, hearing difficulties, and intolerance to loud sounds. The symptoms were analyzed in relation to gender,
musical instrument, and time of experience using statistical tests such as the Chi-squared test and Difference in
Proportions test at a significance level of 0.05 as well as finding the Prevalence Ratio. Results: Tinnitus was the
most frequent symptom among musicians, especially among those who play amplified instruments. There was
an association between tinnitus and hearing difficulty, and between instrument experience time and intolerance to
loud sounds. The proportion of musicians with occasional tinnitus was high among those with less than 15 years of
musical practice, and 4.53 times more prevalent in those with more than 15 years of experience. Conclusion: The
presence of auditory symptoms, especially tinnitus, among musicians reinforces the need for implementation of
hearing conservation programs for this profession.

Introduction: Mining activity is responsible for a large part of global economic development. Bra... more Introduction: Mining activity is responsible for a large part of global economic development. Brazil has 3,370 mines spread over its regions. In spite of its social and economic significance, ore extraction entails specific features regarding precarious working conditions. Objective: To analyze the working conditions at an underground gold mining company in Southern Brazil from the perceptions of workers as well as the ones responsible for the company. Methods: Cross-cutting study with quantitative and qualitative approach. The study was carried out in three steps: documental analysis of the company; analysis of 125 miners' medical records; and investigation of workers' perception by means of Focus Group with six workers and interviews with three health and safety professionals. Results: During the analysis of the records, 12.06% reported altered carboxyhemoglobin levels; 10.14% evidenced altered chest X-Ray, and 42.06% had altered tone audiometry. Five categories emerged in the analysis on workers' perception, and three on health and safety professionals' perception. Conclusion: There has been workers' conformism with their precarious working conditions, even causing diseases, evidenced in medical screening and reports. No attempts to overcome this reality have been observed, neither on the part of the workers, nor on the part of health and safety professionals. Resumo: Introdução: A atividade de mineração é responsável por grande parte do desenvolvimento econômico mundial. O Brasil possui 3.370 minas espalhadas em suas regiões. Apesar da importância social e econômica, a extração de minério envolve características específicas relacionadas às precárias condições de trabalho. Objetivo: Analisar as condições de trabalho em uma mineradora de ouro subterrânea no Sul do Brasil a partir das percepções de trabalhadores e responsáveis pela empresa. Métodos: Estudo transversal, de abordagem quanti-qualitativa. O estudo foi desenvolvido em três etapas: análise documental da empresa; análise de 125 prontuários dos mineradores; e investigação da percepção dos trabalhadores através de Grupo Focal com seis trabalhadores e entrevistas com três profissionais de saúde e segurança. Resultados: Na análise dos prontuários 12,06% apresentaram carboxihemoglobina alteradas; 10,14% RX de tórax alterados e 42,06% audiometria tonal alteradas. Emergiram cinco categorias de análise sobre a percepção dos trabalhadores e três sobre a percepção dos profissionais de saúde e segurança. Conclusão: Há conformismo dos trabalhadores com as condições precárias de trabalho, mesmo levando ao adoecimento, verificado nos exames médicos e relatos. Não se observou tentativas de superação dessa realidade nem por parte dos trabalhadores como pelos profissionais da saúde e segurança. Palavras-chave: Exposição a riscos, minerador, condições de trabalho.

Purpose: To analyze the impact of exposure to music in the hearing process and quality of life in... more Purpose: To analyze the impact of exposure to music in the hearing process and quality of life in musicians of a symphony orchestra. Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-cut, quantitative study on the aspects of hearing health in 30 musicians of the symphony orchestra of Paraná, ages between 33 and 54 years. The sound pressure levels that musicians are exposed to were measured during the orchestra rehearsal, and participants answered a questionnaire about the musical practice as well as the SF-36 questionnaire, which investigates the quality of life. Conventional audiometry and high-frequency audiometry were applied. Results: During the orchestra rehearsal, hazardous sound pressure levels to musicians' hearing health were observed. The commonest symptoms reported were tinnitus and intolerance to intense sounds. In the conventional audiometry test, more than half of the musicians featured sensorineural hearing loss, and the worst results were found in high frequencies. In the high-frequency audiometry test, higher auditory thresholds were also found in higher frequencies. As for quality of life, there was significant correlation for musicians with hearing loss in the domain " limitation due to emotional aspects ". Conclusion: the sound pressure levels that musicians are exposed to are excessive and represent a risk to hearing health. Hearing loss and other auditory symptoms can interfere in their quality of life, once hearing is essential to this professional category.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the workers’ perception of comfort and use aspects regarding two... more Purpose: To evaluate and compare the workers’ perception of comfort and use aspects regarding two types of
hearing protectors (shell and earplug), in three units from a lumbering company, with different implantation times
for Hearing Preservation Programs. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study comparing 440 workers’ perception
of hearing protectors, from three companies in Paraná State (Brazil), with different times for Hearing Preservation
Programs. Two closed questionnaires were applied (9 and 10 questions, respectively), with a scale of answers
varying from 1 to 5 (Likert’s scale) regarding the perception of the comfort of hearing protectors. Then, audiometry
results were analyzed. Results: About 17.5% presented audiogram examinations with alterations. With regard
to the questionnaire about the comfort perception, the importance of noise attenuation (mean of 4.25) was the
most relevant aspect, followed by communication possibility (mean of 4.15). In the protector assessment, Unit
A with more Hearing Preservation Program time presented better scores for both the worker’s perception of
important aspects regarding hearing protector and for the assessment of the used hearing protector. There was a
significant difference on communication difficulty with the use of a hearing protector among workers with normal
and altered audiograms (p=0.0371). With regard to the global comfort in the comparison of workers using the
shell-type hearing protector with those using insert-type hearing protectors, there was no difference (p=0.2264),
irrespective of the type of the unit. Conclusion: In general, the unit workers presented a good perception of the
important aspects about the hearing protection use of both types of hearing protectors.

Purpose: To analyze the perception of family and managers (education and health) on the process o... more Purpose: To analyze the perception of family and managers (education and health) on the process of diagnosis of deafness in children in a city in Paraná. Methods: The analysis of the material gathered in the focus groups and on the interviews was made based on the analysis of content of the thematic mode. The discussion of the data was organized based on the analysis of the subjects' testimonies. Results: The thematic categories were: the early diagnosis and hearing health as a human right; and the necessity of adequate support and initial guidance; challenges in the inter-sector and inter-network relations. Conclusion: We have reached the conclusion that the repercussions of a late deafness diagnosis have influence in health and education aspects of the deaf children's life. Early diagnosis and adequate support did not happen with the majority of the children. An inadequate inter-sector relation between Health and Education municipal authorities was verified. RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a percepção de familiares e gestores (educação e saúde) sobre o processo de diagnóstico da surdez em crianças de um mu-nicípio do Paraná. Métodos: A coleta de dados deu-se a partir da técnica de grupo focal formado por dez pais e por entrevista aberta individual com gestores. A análise do material extraído foi feita por meio do estudo do conteúdo na modalidade temática. A discussão dos dados foi organi-zada pela análise das falas dos sujeitos. Resultados: Foi possível extrair duas grandes categorias temáticas: frustração no processo de diagnóstico, acolhimento e orientação; dificuldades na relação intersetorial Saúde e Educação. Conclusão: Os desdobramentos da surdez diagnosticada tardiamente permearam os âmbitos relacionados à saúde e à educação das crianças com surdez. O diagnóstico precoce e o acolhimento ade-quado não ocorreu na maioria das crianças e verificou-se que a relação intersetorial (saúde e educação) é insatisfatória.

Resumo Introdução: os trabalhadores de lavanderia hospitalar estão amplamente expos-tos a diferen... more Resumo Introdução: os trabalhadores de lavanderia hospitalar estão amplamente expos-tos a diferentes situações de risco ocupacional pelas características peculiares desse ambiente de trabalho. Objetivo: identificar a vivência e a percepção dos trabalhadores sobre suas condições de trabalho. Método: pesquisa de aborda-gem qualitativa realizada com trabalhadores de uma lavanderia hospitalar de um hospital público de grande porte. Os dados foram coletados e analisados seguindo a técnica de grupo focal e de análise de conteúdo. Resultados: os ris-cos percebidos foram identificados e analisados em três categorias: 1. Riscos do trabalho diário, com as subcategorias Riscos ergonômicos (intensificação do trabalho, número excessivo de horas trabalhadas, exigência de produção e ausência de pausas), Riscos físicos (ruído, calor), Riscos biológicos (manuseio de material contaminado) e Estresse e perigo de acidentes com materiais per-furocortantes; 2. Organização do trabalho e controle sobre os trabalhadores; 3. Sugestões dos trabalhadores para melhorias nas condições de trabalho. Con-clusão: os diversos riscos ocupacionais encontrados na lavanderia se relacio-nam diretamente às condições ambientais e organizacionais desse serviço. É necessário implantar medidas de controle coletivo e estratégias de mudanças na organização do trabalho para prevenir e promover a saúde dos trabalhado-res que atuam nesse ambiente laboral. Palavras-chave: riscos ocupacionais; saúde do trabalhador; serviço hospitalar de lavanderia. Abstract Introduction: hospital laundry workers are widely exposed to different occupational hazards due to the peculiar characteristics of their work environment. Objective: to identify workers' experiences and perceptions of their working conditions. Method: qualitative research conducted with workers from the laundry of a large public hospital. The research data were collected and analyzed through focus group technique and content analysis. Results: the perceived hazards were identified and analyzed into three categories: 1. Daily work hazards, with the subcategories Ergonomic hazards (work intensification; excessive work hours; demand for production; and absence of breaks), Physical hazards (noise; heat), Biological hazards (handing of biological material), and Puncture or laceration accidents; 2. Work organization; 3. Workers' suggestions to improve working conditions. Conclusion: the several occupational hazards encountered in the hospital laundry were directly related to the environmental and organizational conditions. Implementing collective control measures and strategies to change work organization is necessary to prevent accidents and diseases and promote hospital laundry workers' health.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze and characterize tonal auditory thresholds between 500 Hz and 16,00... more ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze and characterize tonal auditory thresholds between 500 Hz and 16,000 Hz of professional musicians, specifically members of a military band. Methods: A historic cohort study was carried out comparing one group of 50 professional musicians (military band) with another group (44 subjects) without history of professional exposure to intense sound; the groups were homogenous (p<0.05%) in relation to gender (male) and age (about 35 years old). Tone threshold audiometry for conventional (from 500 to 8,000 Hz) and high frequencies was applied (from 9,000 to 16,000 Hz). Results: Exposure to music triggered permanent hearing impairment. As to conventional auditory thresholds, the exposed and non-exposed groups presented sensorineural hearing loss of 32 and 2.27%, respectively. The subjects exposed to music had 14.54 times more risks of acquiring sensorineural hearing loss than the non-exposed group. After 20 years of exposure to music, significant worsening was observed in auditory thresholds, especially at extended high frequencies, and differences occurred between the groups from the age of 30 on. Conclusion: Exposure to music caused permanent hearing impairment, showing differences in relation to the non-exposed group, registered in conventional audiometry and at high-frequency audiometry. RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar e caracterizar os limiares auditivos tonais entre 500 Hz e 16.000 Hz de músicos profissionais, integrantes de uma banda militar. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo de coorte histórico, que comparou um grupo de 50 músicos profissionais (banda militar) com um grupo sem histórico de exposição profissional a som intenso (44 sujeitos); e homogêneos (p<0,05) em relação ao gênero (masculino) e à idade (em torno de 35 anos). Foram realizados exames de audiometria tonal limiar convencional e de altas frequências (de 9.000 a 16.000 Hz). Resultados: A exposição à música desencadeou alterações auditivas permanentes. Quanto aos limiares auditivos convencionais, no grupo exposto encontrou-se 32% dos músicos com alterações auditivas neurossensoriais e no grupo não exposto encontrou-se 2,27%. Os sujeitos expostos à música tiveram 14,54 vezes mais risco de adquirir alterações auditivas neurossensoriais do que o grupo não exposto. Após 20 anos de exposição à música foram observadas pioras significativas nos limiares auditivos, principalmente nas altas frequências, e ocorreram diferenças entre os grupos a partir de 30 anos de idade. Conclusão: A exposição à música desencadeou alterações auditivas permanentes, evidenciando diferenças em relação ao grupo não exposto à música, registradas na avaliação audiológica convencional e em altas frequências.

Limiares auditivos em músicos militares: convencionais e altas frequências ABSTRACT Purpose: To a... more Limiares auditivos em músicos militares: convencionais e altas frequências ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze and characterize tonal auditory thresholds between 500 Hz and 16,000 Hz of professional musicians, specifically members of a military band. Methods: A historic cohort study was carried out comparing one group of 50 professional musicians (military band) with another group (44 subjects) without history of professional exposure to intense sound; the groups were homogenous (p<0.05%) in relation to gender (male) and age (about 35 years old). Tone threshold audiometry for conventional (from 500 to 8,000 Hz) and high frequencies was applied (from 9,000 to 16,000 Hz). Results: Exposure to music triggered permanent hearing impairment. As to conventional auditory thresholds, the exposed and non-exposed groups presented sensorineural hearing loss of 32 and 2.27%, respectively. The subjects exposed to music had 14.54 times more risks of acquiring sensorineural hearing loss than the non-exposed group. After 20 years of exposure to music, significant worsening was observed in auditory thresholds, especially at extended high frequencies, and differences occurred between the groups from the age of 30 on. Conclusion: Exposure to music caused permanent hearing impairment, showing differences in relation to the non-exposed group, registered in conventional audiometry and at high-frequency audiometry. RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar e caracterizar os limiares auditivos tonais entre 500 Hz e 16.000 Hz de músicos profissionais, integrantes de uma banda militar. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo de coorte histórico, que comparou um grupo de 50 músicos profissionais (banda militar) com um grupo sem histórico de exposição profissional a som intenso (44 sujeitos); e homogêneos (p<0,05) em relação ao gênero (masculino) e à idade (em torno de 35 anos). Foram realizados exames de audiometria tonal limiar convencional e de altas frequências (de 9.000 a 16.000 Hz). Resultados: A exposição à música desencadeou alterações auditivas permanentes. Quanto aos limiares auditivos convencionais, no grupo exposto encontrou-se 32% dos músicos com alterações auditivas neurossensoriais e no grupo não exposto encontrou-se 2,27%. Os sujeitos expostos à música tiveram 14,54 vezes mais risco de adquirir alterações auditivas neurossensoriais do que o grupo não exposto. Após 20 anos de exposição à música foram observadas pioras significativas nos limiares auditivos, principalmente nas altas frequências, e ocorreram diferenças entre os grupos a partir de 30 anos de idade. Conclusão: A exposição à música desencadeou alterações auditivas permanentes, evidenciando diferenças em relação ao grupo não exposto à música, registradas na avaliação audiológica convencional e em altas frequências.

Introduction: hospital laundry workers are widely exposed to different occupational hazards due t... more Introduction: hospital laundry workers are widely exposed to different occupational hazards due to the peculiar characteristics of their work environment. Objective: to identify workers' experiences and perceptions of their working conditions. Method: qualitative research conducted with workers from the laundry of a large public hospital. The research data were collected and analyzed through focus group technique and content analysis. Results: the perceived hazards were identified and analyzed into three categories: 1. Daily work hazards, with the subcategories Ergonomic hazards (work intensification; excessive work hours; demand for production; and absence of breaks), Physical hazards (noise; heat), Biological hazards (handing of biological material), and Puncture or laceration accidents; 2. Work organization; 3. Workers' suggestions to improve working conditions. Conclusion: the several occupational hazards encountered in the hospital laundry were directly related to the environmental and organizational conditions. Implementing collective control measures and strategies to change work organization is necessary to prevent accidents and diseases and promote hospital laundry workers' health.

Purpose: To analyze and characterize tonal auditory thresholds between 500 Hz and 16,000 Hz of p... more Purpose: To analyze and characterize tonal auditory thresholds between 500 Hz and 16,000 Hz of professional musicians, specifically members of a military band. Methods: A historic cohort study was carried out comparing one group of 50 professional musicians (military band) with another group (44 subjects) without history of professional exposure to intense sound; the groups were homogenous (p<0.05%) in relation to gender (male) and age (about 35 years old). Tone threshold audiometry for conventional (from 500 to 8,000 Hz) and high frequencies was applied (from 9,000 to 16,000 Hz). Results: Exposure to music triggered permanent hearing impairment. As to conventional auditory thresholds, the exposed and non-exposed groups presented sensorineural hearing loss of 32 and 2.27%, respectively. The subjects exposed to music had 14.54 times more risks of acquiring sensorineural hearing loss than the non-exposed group. After 20 years of exposure to music, significant worsening was observed in auditory thresholds, especially at extended high frequencies, and differences occurred between the groups from the age of 30 on. Conclusion: Exposure to music caused permanent hearing impairment, showing differences in relation to the non-exposed group, registered in conventional audiometry and at high-frequency audiometry. RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar e caracterizar os limiares auditivos tonais entre 500 Hz e 16.000 Hz de músicos profissionais, integrantes de uma banda militar. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo de coorte histórico, que comparou um grupo de 50 músicos profissionais (banda militar) com um grupo sem histórico de exposição profissional a som intenso (44 sujeitos); e homogêneos (p<0,05) em relação ao gênero (masculino) e à idade (em torno de 35 anos). Foram realizados exames de audiometria tonal limiar convencional e de altas frequências (de 9.000 a 16.000 Hz). Resultados: A exposição à música desencadeou alterações auditivas permanentes. Quanto aos limiares auditivos convencionais, no grupo exposto encontrou-se 32% dos músicos com alterações auditivas neurossensoriais e no grupo não exposto encontrou-se 2,27%. Os sujeitos expostos à música tiveram 14,54 vezes mais risco de adquirir alterações auditivas neurossensoriais do que o grupo não exposto. Após 20 anos de exposição à música foram observadas pioras significativas nos limiares auditivos, principalmente nas altas frequências, e ocorreram diferenças entre os grupos a partir de 30 anos de idade. Conclusão: A exposição à música desencadeou alterações auditivas permanentes, evidenciando diferenças em relação ao grupo não exposto à música, registradas na avaliação audiológica convencional e em altas frequências.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the workers’ perception of comfort and use aspects regarding two... more Purpose: To evaluate and compare the workers’ perception of comfort and use aspects regarding two types of hearing protectors (shell and earplug), in three units from a lumbering company, with different implantation times for Hearing Preservation Programs. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study comparing 440 workers’ perception of hearing protectors, from three companies in Paraná State (Brazil), with different times for Hearing Preservation Programs. Two closed questionnaires were applied (9 and 10 questions, respectively), with a scale of answers varying from 1 to 5 (Likert’s scale) regarding the perception of the comfort of hearing protectors. Then, audiometry results were analyzed. Results: About 17.5% presented audiogram examinations with alterations. With regard to the questionnaire about the comfort perception, the importance of noise attenuation (mean of 4.25) was the most relevant aspect, followed by communication possibility (mean of 4.15). In the protector assessment, Unit A with more Hearing Preservation Program time presented better scores for both the worker’s perception of important aspects regarding hearing protector and for the assessment of the used hearing protector. There was a significant difference on communication difficulty with the use of a hearing protector among workers with normal and altered audiograms (p=0.0371). With regard to the global comfort in the comparison of workers using the shell-type hearing protector with those using insert-type hearing protectors, there was no difference (p=0.2264), irrespective of the type of the unit. Conclusion: In general, the unit workers presented a good perception of the important aspects about the hearing protection use of both types of hearing protectors.

Introduction Researchers studying the hearing health of forestry workers have revealed the presen... more Introduction Researchers studying the hearing health of forestry workers have
revealed the presence of a noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in this population and
have concluded that the vibration of the equipment, the carbon monoxide released by
motors, and pesticides might also contribute to NIHL.
Objective To analyze the noise exposure in the Brazilian forestry industry workers and
the effects on hearing.
Methods The study sample comprised 109 employees of a company that specialized
in reforestation. Their participants’ mean age was 35.5 years (21 to 54 years), mean
tenure at the company was 3.9 years (1 to 13 years), and mean total duration of noise
exposure was 12.3 years (1 to 30 years). The existing documentation reporting on the
jobs risk analysis was examined, noise level was measured, and pure tone audiometry
was performed in all participants. Participants were divided into three groups according
to their noise exposure levels in their current job.
Results Of the participants who were exposed to noise levels less than 85 dBA
(decibels with A-weighting filter), 23.8% had hearing loss, and 5.5% of the participants
who were exposed to noise ranging from 85 to 89.9 dBA and 11% of the participants
who were exposed to noise greater than 90 dBA had audiogram results suggestive of
NIHL.
Conclusion The implementation of a hearing loss prevention program tailored to
forestry workers is needed.

International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology, 2014

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the workers’ perception of comfort and use aspects regarding two... more Purpose: To evaluate and compare the workers’ perception of comfort and use aspects regarding two types of hearing protectors (shell and earplug), in three units from a lumbering company, with different implantation times for Hearing Preservation Programs. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study comparing 440 workers’ perception of hearing protectors, from three companies in Paraná State (Brazil), with different times for Hearing Preservation Programs. Two closed questionnaires were applied (9 and 10 questions, respectively), with a scale of answers varying from 1 to 5 (Likert’s scale) regarding the perception of the comfort of hearing protectors. Then, audiometry results were analyzed. Results: About 17.5% presented audiogram examinations with alterations. With regard to the questionnaire about the comfort perception, the importance of noise attenuation (mean of 4.25) was the most relevant aspect, followed by communication possibility (mean of 4.15). In the protector assessment, Unit A with more Hearing Preservation Program time presented better scores for both the worker’s perception of important aspects regarding hearing protector and for the assessment of the used hearing protector. There was a significant difference on communication difficulty with the use of a hearing protector among workers with normal and altered audiograms (p=0.0371). With regard to the global comfort in the comparison of workers using the shell-type hearing protector with those using insert-type hearing protectors, there was no difference (p=0.2264), irrespective of the type of the unit. Conclusion: In general, the unit workers presented a good perception of the important aspects about the hearing protection use of both types of hearing protectors.