Hearing Loss Rate Due to Industrial Noise among Textile Workers in Shiraz

Introduction & Hearing loss due to noise-induced cochlea damage cells is permanent and irreversible. Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is the second common form of sensorinural hearing deficit, after presbycusis. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss in textile workers was conducted in Shiraz. This was a cross- sectional study. The population of study included all workers employed at Shiraz textile factory in1994. Using perspective sampling after applying inclusion criteria, 316 workers were selected. Data collected by pure tone audiometer test and questioner were analyzed by the SPSS software using Variance and t-test. The hearing loss was increased in the left ear at 4000 HZ (p<0.01) and 8000 HZ (p<0.03).The audiometric results showed that hearing threshold for the exposed subjects increased with age (p< 0.01) and duration of employment (p<0.01) in 8000 HZ and were not significantly correlated with sex and place of work in factory. Due to noise-induced hearing loss; implementation of continuous training program control and monitoring by health planner is recommended.