Sanitas Revista Arbitrada de Ciencias de la Salud · Oct 2026
Noise-induced hearing loss in professional bus and truck drivers: systematic review
By Rosero NAC, Flores-Pilco DA, Cano JRM
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the evidence on the frequency of noise-induced hearing loss and its associated factors in professional bus and truck drivers. METHODS: Systematic review according to PRISMA 2020, with a search in PubMed and SciELO for observational studies in professional drivers that assessed hearing. RESULTS: Seven studies from Brazil, Italy, and Iran were included, with more than 69 000 drivers. The frequency of hearing loss ranged from 13.8 % by self-report to 64.8 % in the left ear by audiometry. It was associated with age, years of driving, high noise levels, and vibration. Two Iranian studies found greater involvement of the left ear. CONCLUSIONS: Hearing loss is common in these drivers and requires hearing conservation programs with noise control at the source and periodic audiometry.