Vibroacoustic Disease - A Review

Resumo

This is a review paper covering 30 years of research into the biological response to infrasound and low frequency
noise (< 500 Hz) exposure. As a result of the endeavors of a multidisciplinary team based in Portugal, vibroacoustic
disease (VAD) has been defined as a noise-induced pathology characterized by the abnormal growth of collagen in
the absence of inflammatory processes. A chronological review of findings is described and the clinical phases of
VAD (for occupational noise exposures) are identified. Medical examinations used to diagnose VAD are also
included. In 2008, VAD was recognized by the Portuguese Ministry of Labor as a cause for occupational disability in
a flight attendant. The goal of this report is to provide clinical and biomedical information on VAD to a wider public.