Investigating the Relationship between Noise Risk Perception and the Rate of Occupational Hearing Loss: The Mediating Role of Personality Traits

Occupational hearing loss is mainly caused by exposure to high noise levels, and many individual and environmental factors playing a role in its development. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the mediating role of personality traits on the relationship between the perception of noise risk and the degree of occupational hearing loss.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 workers exposed to noise levels above 85 dB in a manufacturing industry. Risk perception was assessed using a risk perception questionnaire, while personality traits were measured using the HEXACO personality questionnaire. The degree of hearing loss was measured using a MEVOX-SA900 audiometric device. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 software, which included calculations of means, standard deviations, Pearson correlation coefficients and structural equation modeling using AMOS version 24.

The average total hearing loss was 8.61 dB, and 79% of workers had normal hearing. The average score for workers' overall risk perception was 73.95±6.19. Among the personality traits, emotionality had the highest score, while honesty had the lowest score. Two components of general risk perception, including risk perception and attitude, as well as the personality trait emotionality, showed a positive and significant correlation with hearing loss. However, personality traits did not show a significant correlation with risk perception.

Higher risk perception does not necessarily mean less hearing loss, therefore other variables such as employee personality traits should also be considered when planning hearing protection programs.