Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in the City of Mosul: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the distribution of demographic characteristics and the prevalence of hearing loss among workers. Methods: The study sample consisted of 160 participants, and various demographic variables were examined. Data regarding age, gender, work experience, work hours, work nature, and work type were collected and analyzed. The degrees of hearing loss in the bilateral, left, and right ears were assessed, and the prevalence of hearing loss among different work types was examined. Audiograms were utilized to assess the degrees of hearing loss. The limitations of this study include a small sample size, and the cross-sectional design preventing causal relationships. Results: The majority of participants were male, and the age distribution showed a higher representation in the 30-49 years age range. The degrees of hearing loss were predominantly intermediate in the bilateral, left, and right ears. Military personnel had the highest prevalence of hearing loss, followed by builders, drivers, carpenters, and bakers. The logistic regression analysis indicated limited predictive power for age, diabetes mellitus (DM), years in the job, and years in the current job. However, the absence of formal training emerged as a significant factor associated with an increased likelihood of potential hearing loss. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of considering demographic characteristics and occupational factors in assessing the prevalence of hearing loss among workers. The results emphasize the need for occupational training programs and increased awareness of hearing protection measures in the workplace to mitigate the risk of hearing loss.