An Epidemiological Comparative Cross Sectional study on the assessment of Noise Induced Partial Hearing Loss among adult factory workers near a Tertiary Health Institute

Dr. Vineeta Gupta; Dr Priyanka Sahu

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2020

An Epidemiological Comparative Cross Sectional study on the assessment of Noise Induced Partial Hearing Loss among adult factory workers near a Tertiary Health Institute

Dr. Vineeta Gupta, Dr Priyanka Sahu

Abstract :

Introduction : Adult–onset he� loss is the fifteenth most serious health problem which leads to social isolation and to serious economic burden and is a common Occupational Hazard . Noise induced he� loss (NIHL) is more common in less developed countries . The purpose of our study is to assess occupational NIHL, as measured by Audiometric testing in the Audiometry Unit of our tertiary care hospital among Nearby workers exposed to occupational noise in the construction industry. This study was also designed to assess he� threshold levels among exposed patients and to compare them with the nonexposed control group and to evaluate other variables. Methods: This study was carried out as a Prospective Cross Sectional study. 200 Construction workers working in small scale unorganised sctor were evaluated in Audiology Units. Inclusion Criteria included Construction workers above 20 years of age & within 50 years of age to avoid HL due to aging and minimum 3 years of Occupational Exposure. All subjects signed a written informed consent to participate in the study. Same number of workers working in Non Exposed Enviroment were also evaluated. Results : We noted that there was no significant difference in age across exposed versus unexposed groups. The assessment of audiometric tests revealed a predominance of pathological audiograms in the group of workers exposed to occupational noise compared to those who were unexposed. This difference was statistically significant. Tinnitus was more among exposed group. Workers exposed to noise had a mean of 12.2 � 9.6 years of exposure. . Out of these workers, only 8 % used both personal protective devices. Conclusion: Our results suggest that he� protection for workers in noisy environments is the best measure and probably the only and most effective measure in preventing occupational deafness. Routine monitoring of noise levels and he� status in certain populations should be included as part of a program effective he� conservation , Audiological assessment including should be performed pre–employment to find out vulnerable patients for NIHL