OBJECTIVE: To calculate héaring handicap in textile mill employees with noise induced hearing loss. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Model Mills, Nagpur and Govt. Medical College, Nagpur. PARTICIPANTS: 77 employees with noise induced hearing loss. STUDY VARIABLES: Noise levels (by sound level meter), Noise Induced Hearing Loss (by audiometry), Hearing handicap (AAOO guidelines). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Chi square test, Odds ratios, ANOVA. RESULTS: NIHL was significantly higher (76.6%) in employees exposed to >85 dB(A) than to 70-85 dB(A) (35.2%) and to <70 dB(A) (10.7%) (x(2)=60.6, df=2, p<0.001). Hearing handicap in employees with NIHL increased in severity as the noise level increased. Average hearing handicap was significantly higher (12.5%) in >85 dB(A) exposure group than 70-85 dB(A) (7.9%) and <70 dB(A) (4.9%) exposure groups (F=5.17, p <0.05). The risk of having hearing handicap >10% was 5.2 times higher in > 85 dB(A) exposure group than in <85 dB(A) exposure group (OR = 5.22, 95% C.I. 1.76-15.44). CONCLUSION: One third of textile mill employees had hearing handicap. Noise levels >85 dB(A) are associated with high proportion as well as greater severity of hearing handicap.
OBJECTIVE: To calculate héaring handicap in textile mill employees with noise induced hearing loss. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Model Mills, Nagpur and Govt. Medical College, Nagpur. PARTICIPANTS: 77 employees with noise induced hearing loss. STUDY VARIABLES: Noise levels (by sound level meter), Noise Induced Hearing Loss (by audiometry), Hearing handicap (AAOO guidelines). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Chi square test, Odds ratios, ANOVA. RESULTS: NIHL was significantly higher (76.6%) in employees exposed to >85 dB(A) than to 70-85 dB(A) (35.2%) and to <70 dB(A) (10.7%) (x(2)=60.6, df=2, p<0.001). Hearing handicap in employees with NIHL increased in severity as the noise level increased. Average hearing handicap was significantly higher (12.5%) in >85 dB(A) exposure group than 70-85 dB(A) (7.9%) and <70 dB(A) (4.9%) exposure groups (F=5.17, p <0.05). The risk of having hearing handicap >10% was 5.2 times higher in > 85 dB(A) exposure group than in <85 dB(A) exposure group (OR = 5.22, 95% C.I. 1.76-15.44). CONCLUSION: One third of textile mill employees had hearing handicap. Noise levels >85 dB(A) are associated with high proportion as well as greater severity of hearing handicap.