Factors Associated with Hearing Loss among Workers in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Components Manufacturing

Abstract

Hearing loss is one health problem among employees in the air conditioning and refrigeration components manufacturing industry. The objective of the  research was to study the factors associated with hearing loss among workers in air conditioning and refrigeration components manufacturing. This cross-sectional analytic study consisted of one hundred and fifty-three workers in the air-conditioning and refrigeration components industry. The data were collected by using interviewed questionnaire, the measurement of noise exposure in the workplace and an analysis of the factors related to hearing loss using statistical analysis with multiple regression, presenting OR_adj at a 95% confidence interval (p-value<0.05). Most of the workers had abnormal hearing levels in both ears were 56.96% and only one ear at 43.0%. Most employees with hearing loss had a high frequency range of 70.88%, followed by abnormalities in low and high frequencies, 18.99% and abnormalities and a low frequency range of 10.13%. The age for maximum hearing loss was between 30-39 years at 34.18%, and the significant associated factors of hearing loss were related to loud noise exposure at work (OR_adj=2.24; 95% CI=1.25-5.58) and currently working in the electrical-maintenance department, machine-mold building department, tank department, pipe assy department, wash plant and pump department (OR_adj=5.33; 95% CI=2.47-11.45). Therefore, relevant organizations should have established a policy for a hearing conservation program, a monitoring of environment and an annual audiogram, both in the cases of new employees and workers moved from noisy departments for the prevention and health surveillance of noise-induced hearing loss in these workers.