The Relationship between the Use of Personal Protective Equipment and Noise Induced Hearing Loss Among Textile Factory Workers at PT Trisulatex Cimahi
Siti Zakiaturrahmah, Yanti Nurrokhmawati,

Ear, Nose, and Throat - Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine University of General Achmad Yani Medical School/Dustira Hospital, Cimahi

Abstract

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a decrease in hearing or deafness due to noise that exceeds the hearing threshold value in the work environment. The textile factory industry in which the research is focused specifically in the weaving section of the factory. The average worker in the weaving section is exposed to 94 dB from the noise generated from the weaving machine. This measurement exceeds the normal hearing threshold which is 85dB for a duration of 8 hours a day, which was set by Permenakertrans No. 13 of 2011 about Threshold Values for Physical and Chemical Factors at the workplace. The impact of exposure to noise that exceeds this threshold can cause hearing loss, especially for workers. Therefore, it is very important for this industry and its workers to understand NIHL so they can take preventive and rehabilitative precautions to overcome these problems, such as using ear protective equipment when working.
This study aims to compare the relationship between the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the incidence of NIHL in PT Trisultex factory workers. The method used for data collection were through questionnaires followed by an audiometric examination. Selection of samples were chosen through total sampling.
The results showed that there were 36 people (51.4%) with NIHL with an average employment of 14.7 years. Gender-wise, there were 27 males (75%) and 9 females (25%). A total of 69 workers (98%) used PPE while 25 people (35%) used ear plugs and 45 people (65%) used ear muffs. Out of those who wore earplugs, 13 people (52%) experienced NIHL and of those who wore earmuffs, 23 people (51%) experienced NIHL. Out of the 56 people who always used PPE, 30 people (53%) experienced NIHL and of the 14 people who sometimes use PPE, 6 people (42%) experienced NIHL.
In conclusion, these results indicate that there is no significant relationship between using PPE while working with the incidence of NIHL (p-value>0.05).

Keywords: Factory Workers, Hearing Loss, Noise, PPE, Textile Factory

Topic: Epidemiology and Public Health