A Longitudinal Study on Hearing Loss in South Korean Air Force Pilots: Evidence from Electronic Medical Records

Abstract

Hearing loss is known to be one of the most common diseases that can occur among Air Force pilots. Since treatment for hearing loss varies greatly depending on the cause, an accurate diagnosis of the cause is important. However, few studies have comprehensively analysed the causes of hearing loss in Air Force pilots. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to contribute to the prevention of hearing loss by identifying the vulnerability of hearing loss in Air Force pilots in the long term through the analysis of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs). This study analysed the EMRs of Air Force pilots from 2012 to 2023 in South Korea. The EMRs included pilot demographic information as well as the results for each indicator of the general check, blood test, urine test, and Pure Ton Audiometry (PTA) test. Results of data analysis show that pilots who were older, had propeller aircraft types, and had a total flight time of 2,001 to 3,000 hours had a high rate of hearing loss. In addition, pilots with hearing loss were found to have both systolic and diastolic blood pressures outside the normal range. In particular, diastolic blood pressure and glucose levels showed a significant positive correlation with both left and right hearing test results in the high frequency range. In terms of PTA tests, pilots with hearing loss mainly exceeded the criteria in the left ear and high frequency range, and the C5-dip and asymmetry phenomenon were partially identified. The results of this study show the possibility of predicting hearing loss disease for Air Force pilots or suggesting medical treatment guidelines through the analysis of EMRs.

Keywords: hearing loss, air force pilot, electronic medical records

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005070