Prevalence and Factors Associated with Occupational Hearing Loss among Workers in the Chemical Industry

Abstract

This research aimed to study the prevalence and factors associated with occupational hearing loss among workers in the chemical industry workers through a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 34 workers in the chemical industry who participated in the workplace hearing conservation program with Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat hospital. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics: percentage, mean, standard deviation and statistical analysis, including the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test.

The results of the study found that most of the chemical industry workers were males, 91.18%, aged     31-40 years, 38.24%, had high school education, 50.00% and had no underlying disease, 94.12% and ringing in the ears was 35.28%. Audiogram results showed that abnormal hearing test results, 91.18%, Registered Hearing Loss (RHL) 26.48%, and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) 17.64%. The majority of them were hearing impaired in both ears, 61.76%. Analyze the prevalence and related factors of occupational hearing loss 44.11 per 100 employees. The correlation factors analysis found that the age factor and years’ experience were significantly associated with occupational hearing loss at p-value = 0.046, 0.002. Therefore, the factory should increase the safety measures for employees working in the alum production department due to continuous exposure to noise throughout the working period. Engineering alum cutting grinding machines should be improved from the source. Consider choosing new technology to reduce noise exposure for workers. Build awareness and enforce the correct and consistent use of personal protective equipment from the beginning for new employees with less experience and older groups to prevent hearing loss.