Noise Induced Hearing Loss Among Furniture Factory Workers PT Chitose Cimahi
Yanti Nurrokhmawati

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

Abstract

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a quite common health problem among factory workers, including furniture manufacturing factories. Noises above the threshold intensity for a long time can conduct to hearing loss, either temporary or permanent. If this is not taken seriously, it conduct to auditory and non-auditory impacts. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss, worker characteristics, length of work, PPE use habit and auditory/non-auditory symptoms among workers at PT Chitose in Cimahi, West Java. Subjects were 66 workers consisting of 62 men and 4 women who were selected by total sampling, with a cross-sectional descriptive research method. Anamnesis was performed by filling out a questionnaire, physical examination of the ear, and pure tone audiometry. The results showed that the prevalence of NIHL was found at 37 people (56%). Out of patients with NIHL the average age was 37.8 years, male gender 95%, the workplace was from production department 73%, the average length of work was 16.6 years, never used PPE 54%. The most perceived auditory complaints were tinnitus 54%, and the most non-auditory complaints were difficulty sleeping 19%. In conclusion, hearing loss found in PT Chitose Cimahi furniture factory workers is hearing loss caused by noise.

Keywords: noise, hearing loss, workers, furniture factory

Topic: Biomedical Science