Incidence Of Noise Induced Hearing Loss Among The Workers In El-mehalla Textile Company:

Omar Mohamed El-refaey

Environmental noise is a common and preventable cause ofhearing loss in industrialized societies. Hearing loss due toinjurious noise at workplace is referred to as occupational noiseinducedhearing loss.Repeated exposure to high levels of noise is a major cause ofdeafness, particularly in certain Industrial occupations. Noiseinduced hearing loss is a process of permanent metabolic Cochleardamage caused by chronic exposure to loud sound levels between90dB and 140dB.Textile industry is one of the noisiest ones, especially inweaving and spinning sections, what explains the prevalence ofNIHL in such departments. The risk of developing NIHL lies onduration and level of noise at which worker is exposed, evenwearing individual ear protectors, as this device reduces intensityof environment noise only in 10 to 15 dB .Typically, the first sign of hearing loss due to noiseexposure is a “notching” of the audiogram at 3000, 4000, or 6000Hz, with recovery at 8000 Hertz (Hz). Over a period of years ofprolonged noise exposure, hearing loss due to noise expands toinvolve additional frequencies. This, together with the effects ofaging, may reduce the prominence of the “notch.” so in olderSummary76individuals, the effects of noise may be difficult to distinguishfrom presbycusis without access to previous audiograms.Individuals with noise-induced hearing loss may experiencesignificant morbidity due to hearing loss, concomitant tinnitus, andimpaired speech discrimination. On the job, such hearingloss can impact worker communication and safety. Otherconditions associated with hearing loss may be depression, socialisolation.In fact, preventing noise-induced hearing loss wouldprobably do more to reduce the societal burden of hearing loss thanmedical and surgical treatment of all other ear diseases combined.An effective hearing loss prevention program involvesa comprehensive effort consisting of the following elements:(a) Performing initial and annual audits of the work environment.(b) Assessment of noise exposures.(c) Engineering and administrative control of noise exposures.(d) Audiometric evaluation and monitoring of hearing.(e) Appropriate use of personal hearing protection devices.(f) Education and motivation.(g) Record keeping.(h) Program evaluation for effectiveness.