[ effect of age on hearing impairment of employees in a textile factory]

ABSTRACT

To assess the effect of age on hearing impairment of employees in a textile factory. This was a cross-sectional study. 385 male workers in a textile factory took part in the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire containing items on demographic status and hearing diseases. In addition, audiomentric tests were carried out and total hearing loss and total hearing impairment for any workers were calculated. 301 [78.2%] employees were over age 40. There was a significant relationship between age and various types of jobs [Chi [2]=7.33; P<0.001]. 345 [89.6%] of employees had hearing impairment [hearing loss higher than 25 decibles] and 40 [10.4%] were healthy. Also there was a statistically significant relationship between age and hearing loss [Chi[2]=4.43; P<0.001]. and hearing impairment [chi[2]=6.38; p=0.004]. The highest prevalence of presbyacusis was related to the age group of 40-44 years old [59.3%]. In general hearing impairment was found to be high in this population and it was associated with type of jobs and age