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Canine Noise Exposure and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Responses

Noetzel, Jennifer
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1659530539274118

Abstract Details

2022, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Allied Health Sciences: Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Occupational noise exposure is pervasive in military and law enforcement communities, where the heterogenous nature of duties and mixed exposure to continuous and impulse noise make direct noise measurements challenging when attempting to quantify overall noise exposure. A military or law enforcement dog works as a unit with its handler, and both experience similar noise exposures. Research regarding noise exposure and consequent hearing loss in dogs has been limited, but evidence has been growing that noise damages canine hearing. One aim was to quantify occupational noise exposure experienced by 38 working dogs through surveys completed by their handlers. Survey data demonstrated that small arms (100%) and emergency sirens (84%) were the most prevalent noise sources. Using the Lifetime Exposure to Noise and Solvents Questionnaire as a model, the K9 Noise Questionnaire was developed to allow the calculation of noise exposure scores. This noise exposure score, along with its age and years in service, were assessed as possible predictors of auditory function in working dogs. The brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) was used to estimate hearing levels. Using multiple linear regression, the relationships connecting noise exposure score, age, and years in service with BAER thresholds were investigated. A significant relationship for a two-predictor model consisting of noise score (p = .025) and years in service (p = .042) was identified. As hypothesized, when noise exposure score increased, the BAER threshold increased. Contrary to hypothesis, however, as years in service increased, BAER threshold decreased. This may be because inexperienced dogs with fewer years in service are not as comfortable completing BAER testing while awake, resulting in increased myogenic artifact and biological noise which can contaminate BAER results. However, further study of this point is needed. A second aim was to measure the degree of change in the auditory system resulting from impulse noise exposure. Cincinnati Police Department working dogs were tested at opportune points in their training schedules. BAER testing was completed before and after impulse noise exposure. On average, BAER thresholds shifted 13.5 dB in right ears and 21.9 dB in left ears. Of the 35 ears tested, 28 (80%) experienced some degree of shift, and every dog had at least one ear affected. Using multiple linear regression, the relationships connecting noise exposure score, age, and years in service with BAER threshold shift were investigated. No significant relationships were identified for age or noise exposure score. The Bayesian information criterion identified the best model as a one-predictor model that included only years in service (p = .019). This was as hypothesized, because as years in service increased so did the shift. For five dogs, BAER threshold recovery after 60 min was assessed. Military and law enforcement working dogs have occupational noise exposures that would justify enrollment in a hearing conservation program. Evidence suggests that exposure to high levels of noise negatively impacts working dogs’ BAER thresholds. Given the findings, both noise scores and years in service should be considered as a factor when determining testing protocols.
Peter Scheifele, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Stephen Lee, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Brian Earl, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Jeffrey DiGiovanni, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
125 p.
Veterinary Services
brainstem auditory evoked response; occupational noise exposure; working dogs

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Noetzel, J. (2022). Canine Noise Exposure and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Responses [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1659530539274118

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Noetzel, Jennifer. Canine Noise Exposure and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Responses. 2022. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1659530539274118.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Noetzel, Jennifer. "Canine Noise Exposure and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Responses." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1659530539274118

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1659530539274118
96
© 2022, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License Canine Noise Exposure and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Responses by Jennifer Noetzel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.