Hearing Loss in Workers Exposed to Toluene and Noise
Author Information
Author(s): Chang Shu-Ju, Chen Chiou-Jong, Lien Chih-Hui, Sung Fung-Chang
Primary Institution: Institute of Environmental Health, China Medical University College of Public Health
Hypothesis
Does exposure to both toluene and noise increase the risk of hearing loss in workers?
Conclusion
Workers exposed to both toluene and noise have a significantly higher prevalence of hearing loss compared to those exposed to noise only.
Supporting Evidence
- The prevalence of hearing loss of ≥25 dB in the toluene plus noise group was 86.2%.
- The risk for hearing loss in the toluene plus noise group was 10.9 times higher than in the noise-only group.
- The study found that the mean hearing threshold was poorest at 6 kHz.
Takeaway
If you work around loud noises and toluene, you might lose your hearing more than if you just work around loud noises.
Methodology
The study used a cross-sectional design with interviews, physical examinations, and audiometry tests to assess hearing loss among workers.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the self-reported nature of health history and lifestyle information.
Limitations
The study's sample size was limited, and it did not include data for estimating the impact of hearing loss for workers due to toluene-only exposure.
Participant Demographics
All participants were male workers from an adhesive materials manufacturing plant, with an average age of 40.0–41.5 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 32.1–608
Statistical Significance
p < 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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