Influence of Environmental Factors on the Evolution of Industrial Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (original) (raw)

Prevalence of occupational noise induced hearing loss in industrial workers

Indian Journal of Otology, 2014

Occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is a major cause of disability throughout the world. Occupational noise exposure is likely to contribute in very high proportion of cases of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in workers who are continuously exposed to high frequency noise being emitted from industrial machines. [1] Exposure to sound above a level of approximately 85 dB initially manifest as a temporary hearing loss or dullness of hearing that is known as temporary threshold shift (TTS), which may have fast resolution within first 10-15 days of the exposure. [2] However, a repeated or sustained exposure of noise to the hair cells and associated nerve fibers leads on to degenerative changes and the TTS becomes permanent threshold shift (PTS). The effect of excessive noise could be so devastating that it can cause permanent memory loss or psychiatric disorder. [3] With the rapid development of industries and automobiles the noise hazard is increasing by many folds. According to American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology excessive noise pollution can lead onto difficulty in communication, while at work and ringing sound in the ear for several hours even after work. [4] Further some noxious agents also affect the workers in the industries. It is identified among the textile plant workers, basic metal industries, chemical industries, beverages, and nonmetallic mineral product industries. [1-4] In this study, we conducted a survey of textile and metal rolling industries in our region to assess hearing loss in the industrial worker in relation to noise level, duration of exposure, age, and type of work in the factory. matErIal and mEthods This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of noise pollution at work place and different noise scale in two industries, that is, textile and hard strip rolling at Bhiwani (Haryana) India. This study was conducted in 100 male industrial workers in age group of 19-55 years, which includes office workers, machine operators, and helpers. All underwent ENT examination and

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss – A Preventable Disease? Results of a 10-Year Longitudinal Study of Workers Exposed to Occupational Noise

Noise & Health, 2017

Aims: To survey current, Danish industrial noise levels and the use of hearing protection devices (HPD) over a 10-year period and to characterise the association between occupational noise and hearing threshold shift in the same period. Furthermore, the risk of hearing loss among the baseline and the follow-up populations according to first year of occupational noise exposure is evaluated. Materials and Methods: In 2001–2003, we conducted a baseline survey of noise- and hearing-related disorders in 11 industries with suspected high noise levels. In 2009–2010, we were able to follow up on 271 out of the 554 baseline workers (49%). Mean noise levels per industry and self-reported HPD use are described at baseline and follow-up. The association between cumulative occupational noise exposure and hearing threshold shift over the 10-year period was assessed using linear regression, and the risk of hearing loss according to year of first occupational noise exposure was evaluated with logis...

Industrial noise and its effects on human hearing

Applied Acoustics, 2002

The effects of industrial noise on hearing loss of workers in Cyprus was studied over the period from 1996 to 1999. Measurements of the noise exposure doses of more than 200 workers from 90 Cypriot industries, ranging from timber to food and beverage were evaluated. Audiometric examinations of the studied workers showed that 27.8% suffered some hearing damage while 7.7% suffered serious hearing loss. #

Deterioration of noise-induced hearing loss among bottling factory workers

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 2007

Background:Repeated exposure to excessive noise will eventually lead to an irreversible increase in hearing thresholds. In theory, the damage reflects both the intensity of the noise and the duration of exposure. This is not linear with respect to duration of exposure; rather, the worker may experience a disproportionate loss in the early years of exposure.Methods:A prospective study surveying workers of the production section (i.e. most noise-exposed area) of a bottling factory was carried out in December 2003 and in December 2005. A self-administered questionnaire was used to extract information about worker's demographic characteristics, drug intake, and medical and occupational history, as well as information on the use of hearing protection devices. Noise mapping of the various departments of the factory was carried out. Otological examination, tympanometry and audiometry were also carried out on selected subjects.Results:Eighty-four workers, 76 (90.5 per cent) men and eigh...

Hearing parameters in noise exposed industrial workers

Auris Nasus Larynx, 1998

This paper presents the results of a study carried out in a group of noise-exposed workers in a hydro-electric power plant. Thus, the main focus of the study is on 130 industrial workers who were exposed to high level of noise. The control group was consisted of 33 subjects with normal hearing. Hearing and acoustic reflex thresholds were obtained from all subjects and the results from age-matched subgroups were compared. The sensorineural hearing loss which were detected in 71 workers were bilateral, symmetrical and affected mainly frequencies of 4 -6 kHz. In essence, the hearing losses were developed within the first 10 years of noise exposure and associated with slight progress in the following years. When acoustic reflex thresholds derived from the study and control groups were compared, statistically significant difference was determined only for the thresholds obtained at 4 kHz (pB 0.0005).

Evaluation of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss on the Workers of one of the Ahvaz Steel Companies

Jundishapur Journal of Health Sciences

Background: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a preventable occupational health problem, which is considered among the 10 major work-related illnesses. According to the World Health Organization, repair of noise damage around the world costs four million dollars. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine noise-induced hearing loss in a number of workers of the Kaviyan Steel Industry. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study being of cross-sectional type, hearing status of 34 male workers was investigated. In the present study, workers were divided to 3 occupational groups; mechanics, turner and millers, and welders, and to determine a more exact noise exposure level based on network methodology, dosimeter was done using a TES 1358 audiometer for each group. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS 16 statistical software using correlations, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and independentsamples t test. Results: The average age and work experience of the subjects was 36.58 ± 7.48 and 11.11 ± 6.8 years, respectively. No significant relationship was observed between sound pressure level and work experience with hearing loss (P > 0.05), yet a significant relationship was found between the decline in hearing threshold in 3000 Hz, 4000 Hz, and 6000 Hz frequencies in the left ear and a frequency of 8000 Hz in the right ear and work experience (P ≤ 0.05). The relationship between age and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) was significant (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that even in a situations where people are imposed to lower levels of noise exposure standards, increasing working experience and age may cause hearing loss.

Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss: It’s Frequency & Risk Factors

PAFMJ, 2021

Objective: To determine the frequency and risk factors of occupational noise induced hearing loss. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Dispensary Unit of Jaith Bhuta Sugar Mill near Rahim Yar Khan, Southern Punjab.from Aug 2017 to Jan 2018. Methodology: This study was conducted using nonprobability consecutive sampling. n=300 workers of bothgenders aged 18-40 years were assessed. Basic demographic parameters, otoscopic examination and Pure Tone Audiometry were used for data collection. The Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 21. Results: Study included 215 (71.7%) males and 85 (28.3%) females with male to female ratio of 2.53: 1 and meanage of 28.34 ± 4.61 years. The frequency rate of hearing impairment (HI) was 90 (30%) out of 300 respondents inthis study. Out of 70 (100%) of respondents were affected with duration of job of 6-10 years. There was significant association between gender, age, education, duration of noise exposure with occupational no...

ESTIMATES OF WORKERS WITH NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS AND POPULATION AT RISK

Journal of Sound and Vibration, 1997

Towards the goal of protecting workers from damage due to noise exposure, a vast store of knowledge has been generated about its nature, etiology and time course. There still exists, however, a strong need to reclarify the locations, nature and magnitude of the problem of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Based on the rate of positive results in a hearing screening test in the workplace, this paper presents an attempt to estimate the total number of workers with more than 40 dB hearing loss at 4 kHz caused by occupational noise exposure. The estimated values in major industry groups were as follows: about 780 000 in manufacturing; 410 000 in construction; 360 000 in agriculture; forestry and fishing; and around 2 million in total. Although it is rather difficult to estimate the number of workers exposed to noise above 85 dB(A), it may be reasonable to believe that at least several million workers exposed to noise should be covered by the 1992 guidelines for the prevention of noise hazards.