Noise Mapping, Prevalence and Risk Factors of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among Workers at Muscat International Airport

Norah A. Al-Harthy, Hassan Abugad, Najwa Zabeeri, Amal A. Alghamdi, Ghada F. Al Yousif and Magdy A. Darwish
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Norah A. Al-Harthy: IAU—Fellowship Program in Occupational Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Damam 34221, Saudi Arabia
Hassan Abugad: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Damam 34221, Saudi Arabia
Najwa Zabeeri: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Damam 34221, Saudi Arabia
Amal A. Alghamdi: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Damam 34221, Saudi Arabia
Ghada F. Al Yousif: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Damam 34221, Saudi Arabia
Magdy A. Darwish: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Damam 34221, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-12

Abstract: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a common occupational hazard and a major cause of deafness among airport workers. However, few studies have been conducted to investigate the various risk factors related to hearing loss. Purpose: the purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence and risk factors of NIHL among Muscat International Airport airside workers. Method: Their daily noise exposure level at the airport was measured, and the time-weighted average (TWA) was calculated for each airside department. A cross-sectional study design involving 312 workers from the eight departments of the airport was chosen and the prevalence of NIHL among workers was assessed. The study participants then completed a self-administered questionnaire that covered their socio-demographic characteristics, occupational exposure history and the health-related risk factors of NIHL. Results: The TWA recorded for the workers was above the accepted limit in some departments, namely, cabin appearance, ramp, line maintenance and hangar. The prevalence of NIHL among participants was 21.79% (n = 68). Of these 68 participants with NIHL, 22.30% were exposed to job-related high noise levels. NIHL was common among participants aged 40 or above (57.35%, n = 39) and high school degree holders (29.60%, n = 29), as well as those who were exposed to higher noise levels (84.89%, n = 191) or who did not wear their hearing protection devices (HPDs) regularly (53.65%, n = 125). Conclusion: around a quarter of our study participants who were exposed to high noise levels suffer from NIHL.

Keywords: Oman; noise-induced hearing loss; noise exposure level; noise hazard; noise protection; Muscat International Airport; hearing protection devices (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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