• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.371-384
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• 1996

The purpose of this study is to investigate attitude factor related to hearing conservation and to find attitude affecting the preventive behavior for hearing conservation. The research method used in this study was self-administered questionnaire. Samples of the study were composed of 353 workers exposed noise selected randomly in 10 ship-building manufacturing companies. Authors extracted following 9 factors related hearing conservation from 26 attitude propositions prepared from previous study results and health belief model; (1) general perceived susceptibility, (2) relative perceived susceptibility compared with colleagues, (3) concern to the personal protective devices, (4) perceived severity and concern to the hearing capacity, (5) concern to the hearing and noise assessment, (6) concern to the control noise and hearing conservation, (7) group pressure and reason of wearing protective devices, (8) apathy of hearing loss from noise, (9) knowledge about hearing conservation. Attitude factors affecting the preventive health behavior were general perceived susceptibility, concern to the noise control and hearing conservation, and concern to the personal protective devices in the case of wearing personal protective devices. But in the case of avoiding noise exposure as preventive health behavior, perceived severity and concern to the hearing capacity was a significant attitude factor with knowledge about hearing conservation.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.815-829
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• 1997

This study was performed to assist the employer to establish the effective program for hearing conservation of noisy industry. The study subjects were health care managers of an industry and the study industries were devided into two groups(Group I, 37 industries; have the workers diagnosed as noise-induced hearing loss, Group II, 41 industries; not have the workers diagnosed as noise-induced hearing loss) and the question method carried out through the face to face interview. The contents of questionnaire for OSHA's hearing conservation program(HCP) consisted of seven components: 5 questions of monitoring of employee noise exposures(component 1), 6 questions of the institution of engineering, work practice, and administrative controls for excessive noise(component 2), 8 questions of the provision of each overexposed employee with an individually fitted hearing protector with an adequate noise reduction rating(component 3), 14 questions of employee training and education regarding noise hazards and protection measures(component 4), 9 questions of baseline and annual audiometry(component 5), 3 questions of procedures for preventing further occupational hearning loss by an employee whenever such an event has been identified(component 6), and 1 question of recording keeping(component 7), thus total numbers of questions was 46. The numbers of statistially significant difference(p<0.05) between two groups were 2(25.0%) among 8 questions of component 3, 10(71.4%) among 14 questions of component 4, 3(33.3%) among 8 questions of component 5, 2(6.7%) among 3 questions of component 6, and 17(37.0%) among total 46 questions of questionnaire. Above results showed that the level of HCP acceptance in group I was lower than in group II. Thus employer's understanding about HCP should be precede for the effective hearing conservation program of employee and the adequate hearing protector, training and education, baseline and annual audiometry, and procedures for preventing further occupational hearning loss for hearing conservation would be more emphasized.

• 한국공작기계학회논문집
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.128-132
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• 2008

The noise levels and individual employee noise exposure levels within a factory will determine the need for hearing conservation program. The difficulty in not having an effective hearing conservation program is the risk of hearing loss that employees may sustain. In the last few years the claims for hearing loss compensation have grown due to class action litigation brought against the employer and companies that have equipment in the factory alleged to have caused hearing loss. The Blower in the factory generates the noise of 98.3dB(A) in the frequency range of 2,000Hz, which may cause occupational hearing loss. By designing close type enclosures which are made of absorption material, about 24.4dB(A) reduction has been in the factory. It is demonstrated that this kind of enclosures can be effectively used to reduce the noise in the factory.

• 음성과학
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.197-202
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• 2005

The cochlear implantation(CI) as an useful tool for aural rehabilitation in bilateral severe to profound hearing impairment. However, CI prefer to usually one ear in spite of bilateral hearing impaired. because of the various characteristics of hearing loss, the hearing conservation for the future possibility, and socioeconomic condition of hearing impaired person and their families. The unilateral CI has limitations such as a directional loss, a difficult speech understanding in noise and a neural plasticity. These limitations will be overcome by hearing aid(HA) which is familiar with hearing impairer. but HA fitting for bimodal-binaural hearing are difficult because the difference output characteristic of HA and CI. This study will be confirm realities of use of HA in unilateral cochlear implantee. For this goal, 25(m:f=10:15) child participated who are used to HA for 1 to 17 months. We had telephone interviews with their mother about use of HA, change of auditory performance and own voice. As the results, hearing threshold levels of unimplanted ear, the use of a appropriate HA, implanted and aided hearing threshold level(HTL) are must be considered for successful biomodal-binaural hearing. Especially, implanted and aided HTL should be very useful parameter for a prediction of HA effect and a criterion of selection for bilateral cochlear implantation.

• 한국보건간호학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.126-136
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among use of earphones, stress level, and hearing threshold in university students. Methods: Study subjects included 210 university students (76 men, 134 women). Data were collected by questionnaire and audiometer from December 17 to 20, 2011. The SPSS win 19.0 program was used for data analysis by descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: 1) 4KHz, 6KHz hearing threshold of subjects who used earphones was higher than average hearing threshold of same age group. 2) Not significant differences in hearing threshold were observed according to frequency of use, and stress level. 3) Significant differences in 4KHz hearing threshold were observed according to earphone volume. 4) A significant positive correlation was observed between frequency of use and stress level (r=0.15, p<.05), earphone volume, and 4KHz hearing threshold (left) (r=0.15, p<.05); however, a negative correlation was observed between stress level and 4KHz hearing threshold (right) (r=-0.14, p<.05). Conclusion: A significant positive correlation was observed between frequency of use and stress level and earphone volume and 4KHz hearing threshold (left). Development of a program for hearing conservation is needed.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.298-309
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate stages of safety and health culture change through a reflection on 40 years of hearing conservation history at a multinational company. Methods: The target workplaces were multinational companies with more than 1,000 employees. The research used the clinical case study and system analysis methods based on direct observation of the research from 1994 to 2009. The latter method performed an analysis of the equilibrium state of the cross-section in the given period and the longitudinal profile of the change during the given period. Results: The stages of cultural change are divided into five stages and summarized as follows. In the first stage, workplace noise was not widely recognized as a hazard, while in the second stage, the measurement of noise levels and audiometric testing were conducted under the Korean Occupational Safety and Health Act (KOSHA). The driving force for change in the second stage was the amendment of the KOSHA. In the third stage, noise came to be recognized as a hazard factor through awareness training. The driving force of change during the third stage was the strong executive power exerted by the audit of the industrial hygiene program from the US head office. In the fourth step, there was a change to actually reduce noise. The driving force in this stage was a change in company executives' risk perception resulting from lawsuits over noise-induced hearing loss and the task force team activities for culture change based on the action learning protocol. At the fifth stage, a 'buy quiet policy' was institutionalized. The management's experience that noise reduction was difficult was the motivation to manage noise from the time of purchase of equipment. Conclusions: The activities of a hearing conservation program are determined by the improvement of the legal system and by the way it is enforced. Noise control activities to reduce noise areas may be possible through the shared risk perception of noise-induced hearing loss and by a change agent role as a facilitator to implement noise control.

• 지역사회간호학회지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.125-141
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting hearing loss in adolescent's use of PCPs, and to give the basic data for adolescent's hearing conservation program development and prevention education against their hearing loss. This study was a descriptive research about three factors affecting hearing loss; the knowledge and attitude about noise, the perception of hearing loss and the hearing threshold. The subjects of this study were 383 students in two general high schools and two vocational high schools in Teagu. They have been using PCPs but with no current or past ear disease. This study was carried out from Sep. 1. 2000 to Oct. 24, 2000. The instrument used for the knowledge and attitude about noise was a questionnaire developed by Rhee. Kyung Yong and Yi. Kwan Hyung(1996). The instrument used for the perception of hearing loss was a Smith Hearing Screening Questionnaire. A Belton Model 112 Audiometer. air-conduction hearing test instrument. was used for the hearing threshold. Data was analysed by a SPSS/Win 10.0 program with frequency. percentage, t-test. ANOVA and pearson correlation. The results of this study were as follows; 1. The average of concern about hearing scored the highest $3.66{\pm}0.70$. The average of perceived susceptibility scored $2.64{\pm}0.85$ and the average of knowledge about noise scored $2.13{\pm}0.56$. The average of total knowledge and attitude about noise scored $2.82{\pm}0.46$. The average of discomfort of hearing loss($2.51{\pm}0.81$) scored higher than that fear of hearing loss($1.35{\pm}0.53$). The average of total perception of hearing loss scored $1.93{\pm}0.59$. The hearing threshold of the subjects scored the highest at 500Hz(Lt. $23.21{\pm}6.62$, Rt. $23.39{\pm}7.02$) and scored higher in order of 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 4000Hz and 8000Hz. 2. The knowledge and attitude about noise and the perception of hearing loss were both affected only by one important characteristic, which was general and vocational high schools. The knowledge and attitude about noise raked (t=5.258, p=0.000), and perception of hearing loss raked(t=2.241. p=0.026). However. several other important characteristics also impacted significantly on the knowledge and attitudes about noise. They included grade (t = 1. 987. p=0.048), father's education(F=2.745. p=0.043), marks(F=3.157, p=0.044), drinking(t=2.307, p=0.022) and smoking(t=2.587, p=0.010). The left hearing threshold differed significantly by sex at 1000Hz(t=5.175, p<0.001) and 8000Hz (t=3.334, p<0.01). According to general and vocational high schools (p<0.001), at 500Hz (t=-5.056), 1000Hz (t=-5.253), 2000Hz (t=-4.905), 4000Hz (t=-4.704) and 8000Hz (t=-5.204) significant differences were also shown. Marks were significant at 1000Hz (F=3.824, p<0.05) and drinking was found to be significant at 500Hz(t=2.203, p<0.05). The right hearing threshold differed significantly by sex at l000Hz(t=5.557. p<0.001). 4000Hz(t=2.234. p<0.05) and 8000Hz (t=2.730. p<0.01). According to general and vocational high schools(p<0.001) at 500Hz (t=-4.730), 1000Hz(t=-6.271). 2000Hz (t=-4.573). 4000Hz(t=-3.554) and 8000Hz (t=-3.405) significant differences were also shown. Grades impacted at 500Hz(t=2.201. p<0.05) and 4000Hz(t=2.511. p<0.05), while marks were significant at l000Hz(F=4.1l5. p<0.05) and drinking was significant at 500Hz(t=2.333. p<0.05). 3. The left hearing threshold in accordance with use of PCPs differed significantly at 2000Hz(F=2.996. p=0.03l) according to volume level and at 8000Hz(F=2.197. p=0.022) according to duration${\times}$hours per day. The right hearing threshold differed significantly at l000Hz(F=3.075. p=0.028) according to volume level and at 8000Hz(F=2.925. p=0.034) according to duration. 4. The knowledge and attitudes about noise showed a light positive correlation with the perception of hearing loss. A positive correlation was shown. as stated previously in all Hz, between the left hearing threshold and the right hearing threshold, especially the highest correlation at 2000Hz(r=0.761. p=0.000). This study has shown that the factors related to adolescent's use of PCPs are important as they impact significantly an adolescent's hearing. These results then indicate that in future, when designing a hearing conservation program and prevention education this data should be considered.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.199-206
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• 2020

Background: In a wide range of industries, noise-induced hearing loss remains one of the most prevalent occupational problems. This study aimed to assess the noise exposure level and associated factors of hearing loss among textile workers in Yangon Region, Myanmar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a Textile mill (Thamine), Yangon Region, from April to December 2018. In total, 226 workers who were randomly selected from 3 weaving sections participated in face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. A digital sound level meter and pure-tone audiometer were used for the assessment of noise exposure level and hearing loss, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the associated factors of hearing loss. Results: In total workers, 66.4% were exposed to ≥85 dB(A) of noise exposure, and the prevalence of hearing loss was 25.7%. Age ≥35 years, below high school education, hearing difficulty, tinnitus, hypertension, > 9 years of service duration in a textile mill were positively associated with hearing loss. After adjusting confounding factors, age ≥35 years (adjusted odds ratio = 6.90, 95% confidence interval = 3.45-13.82) and tinnitus (adjusted odds ratio = 2.88, 95% confidence interval = 1.13-7.37) were persistently associated with hearing loss. Conclusion: Providing occupational hazard education and enforcement of occupational safety regulations should be taken to decrease the noise exposure level. The regular audiometry test should be conducted for assessment of hearing threshold shift. The employer needs to implement a hearing conservation program in workplace when noise exposure reaches or exceeds 85 dB(A) for 8 hours.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.134-138
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• 2015

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a major preventable occupational health problem with 250 million people worldwide known to have disabling impairment of moderate to greater severity. The aims of the study are to estimate the prevalence of NIHL in the police force; and study its association with age, sex, duration of service (years), smoking and alcohol habits, use of hearing protective devices, as well as preexisting chronic diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 543 police personnel who had undergone periodic medical examination over a 12-month period. The diagnostic criteria for NIHL were (1) history of occupational noise exposure, (2) bilateral hearing loss, (3) hearing loss of ${\geq}25dBA$ at 4,000 Hz in two consecutive audiograms, and (4) no significant medical history affecting hearing. Severity of NIHL was based on the World Health Organization grading. Results: Males (74.8%) made up the majority of the police force. The mean age for police personnel was $35.55{\pm}9.57years$, and the mean duration of service was $14.75{\pm}9.39years$. Compliance with the usage of hearing protective devices was seen in 64.4%. The prevalence of NIHL in this study population was 34.2%, with a higher prevalence in males (37.7%) than in females (23.9%). The study also showed strong associations between NIHL and male sex (odds ratio, 1.9; P < 0.05), and hypertension (odds ratio, 3.3; P < 0.001). Overall, 93% were found to have mild NIHL, 3.5% had moderate NIHL, and 3.5% had severe NIHL. No police personnel were found to have profound hearing loss. Conclusion: The prevalence of NIHL in this study is high compared to other similar studies among police personnel. This study shows that increasing age, male, presence of hypertension, diabetes, and longer duration of service are significant associated factors for NIHL. Preventative strategies include health surveillance, implementation of a hearing conservation program, and legislation.

• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• 제61권12호
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• pp.669-673
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• 2018

Background and Objectives Tinnitus, a common complaint of workers who are exposed to noise, can cause substantial negative effects on the quality of life of these workers. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of tinnitus in patients with noise-induced hearing loss and the relationship between tinnitus and the duration of noise exposure. Subjects and Method Thirty-three patients with subjective tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss were included in this study. Tinnitus questionnaire, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and audiological examinations were investigated according to the duration of noise exposure. Results There was a significant correlation between the tinnitus loudness and the duration of noise exposure. Patients who had longer periods of noise exposure had a louder tinnitus and higher THI score. However, there is no significant correlation between the characteristics of tinnitus and aging process. Conclusion The duration of noise exposure influences the loudness and distress of tinnitus. An awareness of tinnitus should be considered as part of hearing conservation program.