Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) amongst electroplating workers / Adham Jaafar

Introduction:Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a well and long recognized occupational hazard. There still ignorance, amongst majority of people working in industries. Overexposure to noise has been known to cause occupational hearing loss. Besides, resulting injury of occupational hearing loss is well recognized and global problem.
Methodology:A cross sectional study was carried out and 100 questionnaires have been distributed. This study was conducted at the electroplating factory that has the noise exposure exceeded exposure limit. There are two groups involve ·. which are unexposed to noise (n=30) and exposed to noise (n=30). Sound Level meter was used to measure the noise level and Noise Dosimeter was used to measure personal noise exposure. Audiometric Test was undertaken to assess the hearing status among the respondents.
Result:This study results showed that there was a significant different on hearing level between exposed and unexposed group (p <0.05). The comparison of high frequency hearing loss between 3000Hz, 4000Hz and 6000Hz were significantly different (p <0.05). The association for noise exposure on hearing loss symptom was significant (p <0.05). The association of noise exposure and hearing loss symptom was significantly (p <0.05).
Conclusion: The results from the audiometric test suggest that there might be central auditory pathway involvement in the hearing lost. Thereby, occupational hearing conservation programs should have taken noise exposures into consideration.