Occupational noise exposure and hearing loss characteristics of a blue-collar population
Recent studies of health effects from chronic exposure to noise in the workplace have not consistently addressed nonoccupational variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 197 randomly selected male hourly workers from a noisy plant ( greater than or equal to 89 dBA) in Pittsburgh to fully assess noise exposure and hearing loss, incorporating information on duration of exposure, noise level, occupational and medical histories, audiometric evaluation, and external noise sources. Population audiometric profiles are characteristic of noise-induced hearing loss; mean hearing thresholds for press room men were significantly higher at 2, 3, and 6 kHz (p less than or equal to .05). Only 40% of the men consistently wore hearing protection. Recent use of ototoxic drugs, noisy hobbies/second jobs, military service, family history of hearing loss, and ear-related problems were not found to have a significant effect on hearing levels at high frequencies, suggesting that observed hearing losses were of an occupational origin. 31 references, 3 figures, 3 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 6096420
- Journal Information:
- JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States), Vol. 26:12
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
AUDITORY ORGANS
INJURIES
NOISE
HEALTH HAZARDS
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
NOISE POLLUTION
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PERSONNEL
PITTSBURGH
BODY
DATA
FEDERAL REGION III
HAZARDS
INFORMATION
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANS
PENNSYLVANIA
POLLUTION
SENSE ORGANS
USA
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects