A study of hearing thresholds at speech and high frequencies in textile workers.

ABSTRACT

Present study was carried out on 50 textile workers (34 males and 16 females) of Kumbharwada, Bhavnagar. All were exposed to high intensity industrial noise in plastic weaving Textile industry. Other causes of Hearing loss apart from Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL) were ruled out. Detailed occupational history and complaints related to hearing were inquired. Each subject was evaluated by Pure Tone Audiometry. Hearing thresholds at speech frequencies and high frequency were tested in silent room after 16 hours from termination to last exposure. The result was compared by statistical analysis that revealed more hearing loss at high frequency as compared to speech frequencies. The magnitude and degree of hearing loss seemed to increase with duration of exposure.