Publication: Hearing protection devices use and its relationship with hearing loss among steel industry workers of Samut Prakan Province, Thailand
Issued Date
2021-03-01
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ISSN
01252208
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2-s2.0-85103066205
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. Vol.104, No.3 (2021), 349-358
Suggested Citation
Petcharat Kerdonfag, Winai Wadwongtham, Surasak Taneepanichskul Hearing protection devices use and its relationship with hearing loss among steel industry workers of Samut Prakan Province, Thailand. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. Vol.104, No.3 (2021), 349-358. doi:10.35755/jmedassocthai.2021.03.11106 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/78373
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Title
Hearing protection devices use and its relationship with hearing loss among steel industry workers of Samut Prakan Province, Thailand
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Abstract
Objective: To investigate hearing protection devices (HPDs) use and its relationship with hearing loss among steel industry workers in Thailand. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 93 eligible participants who are working in the designated high-noise-level zones, which is 85 or more A-weighted decibels [dB(A)] for eight hours time-weighted average, of the two factories. Self-report forms were used to obtain HPDs use by industry workers and noise exposure level was measured with Spark® (Model 706) noise dosimeter. Audiometric screening for hearing loss was performed at a regional hospital by the qualified technician. The hearing loss in each ear was defined if the average threshold level was found to have exceeded 25 dB(A) at high frequencies of 4 and 6 kHz. Results: The findings showed that 45.2% of workers used earplug, 16.1% used earmuff, and 38.7% used both, and most workers (55.8%) wear HDPs regularly, for six of seven days per week. Fifty seven percent of workers wear HDPs for more than 60% time of an 8-hour work shift. Most workers (75.2%) have hearing loss. Conclusion: The authors' result revealed that almost half of workers used hearing protection devices and most workers use HPDs during the 8-hour work time. Abnormal hearing ability were found among workers. The education program such as the hazards of noise on potential auditory loss, a noise education training program and full use of HPDs are encouraged to prevent effect of noise on workers.