TITLE:
Health effects and standard threshold shift among workers in a noisy working environment
AUTHORS:
Penpatra Sripaiboonkij, Savitree Chairut, Adul Bundukul
KEYWORDS:
Standard Threshold Shift; STS; Health Effects; Motor Compressor; Noise
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.5 No.8,
August
6,
2013
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Working
in a noisy environment is a risk for employee hearing health. Standard
threshold shift (STS) can be used as a screening method to detect early
indications of hearing deterioration. Objective:
To investigate health effects related to STS in motor compressor workers. Methods: A cross sectional
study of 464 motor compressor workers was conducted including hearing health
examination by audiometer, and noise level in the workplace was monitored.
Workers who reported having hobbies relating to noise, e.g. gun shooting, or
a personal history of disease relating to the ear were excluded. The relationship
between health effects and workers with STS was studied. Results: There were more men 81.90%
(aged range 31-40 years old) than women working for the company. The average
continuous noise level in the workplace was 84.14 ± 5.21 dB(A). The study
showed that working at the factory for more than 14 years (OR= 3.84, 95%CI 1.54-9.56) and being exposed to noise at least 8 hours a day (OR = 2.12, 95%CI =
1.02-4.40) effected to STS. Workers with STS showed significant communication
difficulties (OR = 1.89, 95%CI = 1.03-3.49) and stress/nausea more than
workers without STS (OR = 1.54, 95%CI = 0.90-2.65) although not
statistically significant. Conclusions:
Workers exposed to continuous noise in the motor compressor industry are at
risk of STS. Duration of exposure to noise is a key factor in respect of harm
to hearing health. STS could be used as a tool to screen workers who have
hearing health problems.