[MCOH-EH] PAPR use and hearing impairment

[Enass Awad]

Good morning :
Was wondering if any of you have encountered cases of hearing difficulties
following prolonged use of PAPRs.
  One of our Telemetry nurses who is taking care of predominantly COVID
patients, was only cleared for PAPR use based on failing mask fit tests.
  She is now complaining of hearing difficulty due to the constant air flow
when she is wearing her PAPR . Screening audiometry is normal and her exam
is benign .
  Found some studies documenting hearing impairments and communication
difficulties associated with PAPR use and we want to be proactive in
preventing further impairment.
  She will see ENT / audiology for a more complete exam and we will be fit
testing her again trying different masks but was wondering if anyone dealt
with a similar situation and if you have any suggestions.
Thanks much,
Enass
-- 
Enass Awad A/Rahman,MD,MPH
Department of Occupational Medicine
Mercy Medical Group
3000 Q Street
Sacramento,CA,95816
Tel: 916-733-3390


"We can enrich the world if we choose to embrace our similarities; we can
destroy the world if we choose to emphasize our differences."
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