Effectiveness of inhaled normoxic argon/oxygen mixture was tested with participation of volunteers with good initial hearing prior to white noise exposure (preconditioning). Results of comprehensive audiometry including measurements of tone threshold, delayed evoked otoacoustic emissions, otoacoustic emissions at distortion-product frequencies and short-latency auditory evoked potentials attested to the benefit of this method of otoprotection.

The noise generated by life support systems is one of the factors that continuously affects astronauts during their stay on the International Space Station . Long-term monitoring of the astronaut’s auditory system demonstrates the possibility of developing both temporary and permanent (irreversible) shifts in hearing thresholds. In addition, it has been shown that noise exposure can adversely affect the quality of the operator’s activity and efficient performance. However, to date, the topic of psychoacoustic effects caused by noise exposure has not been studied enough. An experimental evaluation of the “nonauditory” effects of “white” noise exposure with an 85 dB intensity and 2 h duration in healthy volunteers with normal hearing was carried out. The results of the study indicate a significant decrease in the concentration of attention, the amount of working memory, as well as the speed of cognitive processes associated with the recognition and analysis of incoming information, after exposure to noise. In addition, a significant change in the parameters of the volunteers bioelectrical brain activity was noted: an increase in the power of α- and β-rhythms and a decrease in the power of θ-rhythms of an EEG under the influence of noise. Taking these data into account, the authors suggest a decrease in the quality of the operator’s activity of the volunteers in noise exposure conditions.

Statistical data on the Russian occupational injuries over two decades indicate a reduction in the victims annual number in all the sectors of the country economy from more than 150 thousand employees per year (2000) to 20 thousand (2021). It is shown that the number of fatal accidents during the same time decreased from 4.4 thousand per year to 1 thousand. The authors argue that during the aircraft ground maintenance in civil aviation, the cases of injury to employees and occupational diseases occur in accordance with what happens at the industrial enterprises. Statistics on monitoring working conditions and injury incidents at the aviation enterprises over the past three decades (excluding those injured in aviation accidents) are presented. Based on monitoring data, it is shown that in the period from 2000 to 2021, the rate of decline in the number of employees affected by industrial hazards in civil aviation is approximately 1.5 times higher than the same figure for the country. The results of a statistical analysis of the employee injury causes cases that occurred are described. It is stated that the working conditions characteristic feature of the employees at enterprises and organizations of the country during the period of time under consideration was and remains increased noise levels in the workplaces. At the civil aviation enterprises, the share of people employed in work with such harmful and (or) hazardous working conditions as noise, ultrasound, and infrasound the last decade is about 20 % over. The review is provided concerning the modern methods for reducing the impact of noise on the employees conducting aircraft ground handling operations. Recommendations are given on improving methods for counteracting the noise negative effects, developing personal protective equipment for areas of high noise pollution, and for further research.

The research is a complex experiment that had a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. An effective measurement of the parameters of the human body was examined on eight apparently healthy subjects during an exposure of 8 h in altered magnetic conditions. The results of the experiment did not reveal significant risks for the functional state of the human body with a decrease in the multiplicity of about 1000 times.

The noise generated by life support systems is one of the factors that continuously affects the astronauts during their stay on the International Space Station. Long-term monitoring of the astronauts auditory system state demonstrates the possibility of developing both temporary and permanent (irreversible) shifts in hearing thresholds. In addition, it has been shown that prolonged noise exposure can adversely affect the quality of the operator’s activity and efficient performance. However, to date, the topic of psychoacoustic effects caused by noise exposure has not been studied enough. An experimental evaluation of the “non-auditory” effects of “white” noise exposure with an 85 dB intensity and 2 hours duration in healthy volunteers with normal hearing was carried out. The results indicate the negative noise impact on concentration, the amount of RAM and its use efficiency, the cognitive processes associated with the recognition and incoming information analysis speed. In addition, a significant change in the parameters of the volunteers bioelectrical brain activity was noted: an increase in the power of α- and β-rhythms and a decrease in the power of θ- EEG rhythms under the noise influence. Taking these data into account, the authors suggest a decrease in the operator’s activity quality of the volunteers in noise exposure conditions.

We reviewed diagnosis and treatment of the ENT cases among Russian cosmonauts during 83 main missions to the orbital station Mir and ISS. Russian cosmonauts were ailing with acute infectious catarrhal rhinitis, allergic and acute catarrhal rhinitis as well as pharyngitis (rhinopharyngitis) provoked by volatile chemical agents and low air humidity; acute laryngitis and pharyngitis (laryngopharyngitis) in consequence of exposure to combustion products; acute rhinitis due to elevated oxygen partial pressure; dysphonia, otitis media catarrhalis acuta, and earwax. Diagnosis and treatment were performed with consultation of ENT physicians. On the orbital station Mir the diagnostic and therapy procedures were carried out using an ULO-02 special medical kit. Starting from the ISS-15 mission, diagnosing of ENT problems has been performed timely using a TBK-1 on board telemedicine complex. ENT diseases in the Russian crew members were promptly diagnosed. The recommended remedial measures had a positive effect.

BACKGROUND:Vestibular vertigo is associated with substantially reduced quality of life. Betahistine is effective in improving vertigo-associated symptoms, with longer treatment periods leading to greater improvements; however, it is not known whether these effects persist after treatment cessation. METHODS:VIRTUOSO was a prospective, multinational, non-comparative, post-marketing observational programme investigating the effectiveness of betahistine (48 mg/day) and the course of vertigo after the discontinuation of treatment. Patients with vestibular vertigo who were prescribed 48 mg/day betahistine were enrolled in Russia and Ukraine. Treatment duration was up to 2 months, and patients were followed up for 2 months after discontinuation of betahistine. Efficacy endpoints included clinical response (assessed by change in vertigo severity), monthly attack frequency, and physician and patient grading of overall clinical response and improvement of vertigo-associated symptoms. RESULTS:Overall, 309 patients were enrolled and 305 completed the study. Clinical response was rated as good, very good or excellent in 74.1% of patients at end of treatment, with vertigo severity significantly decreased from baseline (p < 0.001). Monthly vertigo attack frequency decreased significantly during the 2 months of treatment (p < 0.001 from baseline) and further decreased during the 2-month follow-up (p < 0.001 from end of treatment). Overall, clinical response was graded as good or excellent by 94.4% of physicians and 95.4% of patients. Clinical improvement was considered either good or excellent by 82.6-90.5% of physicians and patients for nausea, vomiting and faintness. Only one adverse event was reported, with no serious adverse events. CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that betahistine (48 mg/day) therapy is effective in treating vertigo in routine clinical settings. The observed effects persisted for 2 months after treatment cessation, suggesting that betahistine may facilitate lasting vestibular compensation.