The Effects of Exposure to Noise and Job Stress on Hearing Loss among Workers at Royal Thai Naval Dockyard
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Abstract
Exposure to noise and job stress are the factors causing hearing loss among workers and higher severity of hearing loss with combined exposures. This study was a analytical cross-sectional with the objective to investigate the relationship between human factors, work factors, exposure to noise, job stress and hearing loss in naval dockyard personnel. The samples were 299 naval personnel working at Phra Chulachomklao Naval Dockyard who were selected through a multi-stage sampling method. Data was collected during April to August 2021 by using questionnaires, sound level meter, and audiometer. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to analyse the data.
The result revealed that the prevalence of hearing loss among naval dockyard personnel was 50.5%, with the highest hearing loss at 4,000 Hz (24.7%) and 8,000 Hz (10.8%), respectively. The range of noise level in office work area was between 47 - 76 dB(A) and 68 - 110 dB(A) in factory area. 48.2% of the sample perceived that the work that they are responsible for had high job demand, and 60.5% perceived that it was a low job control. 25.1%. of the sample had job stress. The following factors affecting hearing loss in naval dockyard personnel were statistically significant: age over 40 years (OR = 1.069, 95%CI = 1.039 - 1.101); history of noise exposure (OR = 2.151, 95%CI = 1.219 - 3.585): history of having a chronic common cold (OR = 1.871, 95%CI = 1.022 - 3.427); and job stress (OR = 1.967, 95%CI = 1.021 - 3.790).
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