A Study of Factors Affecting Hearing Loss in Firefighters

Abstract

This study was conducted on firefighters from 11 fire departments located in Jeollabuk-do from October to November of 2020. As determined by the hearing loss screening questionnaire (KHHIE-S), length of time spent working in military services and in the rescue team/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were found to be factors that significantly affecting hearing loss in the group. The worst four Pure Tone Average (PTA) scores on the screening hearing test were observed in study subjects who were male, and those who had previously worked for extended lengths of time in EMS and/or outside duty. In this study, factors affecting hearing loss in firefighters were identified. This research will hopefully provide an opportunity for the health care community, academia, government, and society in general to learn about and become involved in combatting hearing impairment and hearing loss in this critical profession.