A study of the hearing test results of Trang Hospital at-risk staffs
Abstract
Background: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a condition of sensorineural hearing loss caused by prolonged loud noise exposure. The workers are at risk for hearing loss. The results of this study can make a plan for health promotion and a hearing conservation program among workers in Trang Hospital.
Objective: The study aimed to 1) examine the hearing capacity 2) determine the prevalence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss 3) compare age, years of working, duration of working per day, and noise level assessment between the normal hearing group and the hearing loss group among occupational noise exposure workers, at Trang Hospital.
Study design: An Analytic Cross - Sectional study was performed. All participants who
worked in loud environments with noise levels beyond the standard of 80 decibels hearing level (dBA) were included in this study, which was conducted between January and April 2025. Data collection composed of questionnaires, audiometric tests, and noise exposure monitoring. The data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics, i.e. t-test and Exact probability test.
Results: The study results revealed that 64 subjects were a female and male ratio of 1:1, mean age was 41.7±9.9 years, mean year of working was 12.2±8.6 years, and average working was 10.0±2.0 hours per day. Most of the samples had a normal level of hearing capacity. The prevalence of NIHL was 18.8% (12 from 64 workers). In high-risk workers, age, year of working, average working per day, and noise level assessment were not statistically significant differences between the hearing loss group and the normal hearing group. (p=0.338 , 0.351, 1.000 และ 0.977) Among participants reporting past workplace noise exposure at baseline, the 10-year incidence of hearing loss was 66.8% versus 50.0% in those who had normal hearing.
Conclusions: Hospitals should have health surveillance on personnel who work in a loud environment, especially, those who exposure to workplace noise for > 10 years, which could potentially contribute to reducing the burden of hearing loss in later life.
Keywords: Occupational noise-induced hearing loss, Registered hearing loss (RHL), Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), Occupational diseases, Prevalence
