Features of hearing loss in noise-exposed workers in electronic technology enterprises

Objective To provide support for the control and elimination of occupational noise-induced hearing loss by exploring the features of hearing loss in noise-exposed workers in electronic technology enterprises.Methods A survey on occupational health was conducted in two enterprises.495 workers exposed to environmental noise in the enterprises were studied as noise-exposed group and 160 workers with no noise exposure enrolled as control group.The air conduction thresholds were detected in both ears by routine methods.According to the criteria on GBZA9-2007, the average thresholds were calculated and the hearing status was determined and then was compared between the two groups.Hearing loss in noise- exposed group was analyzed.Results The detectable rate of hearing loss differed significantly between the noise-exposed group and in the control group( 14.9％ vs.1.3％,P＜ 0.01 ).In the noise exposed group,the detectable rate was 15.3％ in the workers exposed to non-stationary noise and 12.5％ in those exposed to stationary noise； and it was 15.3％ for those in charge of punching,13.3％ for polishing,and 11.8％ for grinding.The detectable rate was 8.2％ for the group exposed to noise less than 5 years,8.3％ for greater than 10 years,and 28.4％ for in-between and it was 0.0％,17.9％,and 29.6％ in different age groups of ＜ 25 years,25 to 39 years,and ＞ 39 years,respectively.The detectable rate did not differ significantly among different work types and among different sorts of noise ( P＞ 0.05 for all comparisons ).The x2 test revealed the detectable rate of hearing loss elevated with prolongation of noise exposure and an increase in age ( P＜ 0.01 for all comparisons ).Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed length of work and age were the independent risk factors of hearing loss.Conclusions High-intensity noise causes hearing loss in workers in electronic technology enterprises.It is of importance to enhance the prevention and treatment of occupational diseases to reduce occupational noise-induced hearing loss. Key words: Electronic technology; Noise; Hearing loss