Determining the effect of worker exposure conditions on the risk of hearing loss in noisy industrial workroom using Cox proportional hazard model.
In noisy workrooms, exposure conditions such as noise level, exposure duration and use of hearing protection devices are contributory factors to hearing loss. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of exposure conditions on the risk of hearing loss using the Cox model. Seventy workers, employed in a press workshop, were selected to study their hearing threshold using an audiometric test. Their noise exposure histories also were analyzed. The results of the Cox model showed that the job type, smoking and the use of protection devices were effective to induce hearing loss. The relative risk of hearing loss in smokers was 1.1 times of non-smokers The relative risk of hearing loss in workers with the intermittent use of protection devices was 3.3 times those who used these devices continuously. The Cox model could analyze the effect of exposure conditions on hearing loss and provides useful information for managers in order to improve hearing conservation programs.
['Aliabadi|Mohsen|M|', 'Fereidan|Mohammad|M|', 'Farhadian|Maryam|M|', 'Tajik|Leila|L|']
D001299:Audiometry D004430:Ear Protective Devices D005260:Female D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced D006801:Humans D007221:Industry D008297:Male D009623:Noise, Occupational D009784:Occupational Diseases D016272:Occupational Health D009790:Occupations D016016:Proportional Hazards Models D018570:Risk Assessment D012307:Risk Factors D012907:Smoking
Cox model noise exposure conditions noise induced hearing loss