The Relation Between Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Years of Service Among Workers of a Paper Factory

IntroductionThis study planned to investigate the occurrence time of noise induced hearing loss (NRHL) among workers in a loud work environment.Material and MethodsFor this study, the data of 70 workers who work in different departments of a paper factory was examined retrospectively. Workers were allocated in two groups as A (environment’s noise level is under 80 dB) and B (over 85 dB) according to their departments’ noise level. The workers with noise induced hearing loss were determined with the last Pure Tone Audiogram results.ResultsThe median age was 36.98 of 70 workers included 2 females and 68 males. 15 workers with hearing loss were determined. Group B showed twice as many hearing loss results compared to the group A (5 in A and 10 in B groups), however, these results were not found to be statistically significant (p: 0.244). In the examination of the number of workers with noise induced hearing loss distributed by the years spent in this workplace, 14 of the workers who have been working in the factory over 10 years had hearing loss while only 1 worker in the group with up to 10 years of experience was affected. The difference of this distribution was statistically significant (p: 0.002).ConclusionThe data of this study shows that there is a positive correlation between hearing loss incidence and years of service in a loud workplace. Particularly, individuals with over 10 years of experience show distinctive increase of hearing loss. Years spent in a loud workplace and accordingly, the amount of time being exposed to loud noise, increase the noise induced hearing loss