NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS AMONG FACTORY WORKERS OF EASTERN NEPAL

Abstract

Objective:

To study effect of noise in hearing among the factory workers of eastern Nepal.

Material and Method:

Cross sectional comparative study was conducted between January 2010 to June 2011 in one of factory of eastern Nepal enrolling 445 subjects out of which 224 were exposed to loud noise and 221 were normal individuals of same geographical area. The intensity of noise of working environment was measured by digital sound level meter (SLM) prior to the study. The workers of factory were assessed on the basis of history, clinical examination, otological examination, and hearing status by pure tone audiometry. Data were analyzed on the basis of duration of exposure and intensity of exposed noise and compared with control groups.

Results:

The frequency of noise induced hearing loss was more among factory population (41.5%) as compared to normal population (18.5%). It had linear relationship with duration of exposure and age of
person. The odds ratio of hearing loss among factory workers and normal population was 2.5.

Conclusion:

Factory workers have high risk of high frequency hearing loss as compared to normal population.

Keywords: Factory worker, Hearing loss, Noise