The protective effectiveness of hearing protectors for noise-exposed workers and its influencing factors
10.20001/j.issn.2095-2619.20240412
- VernacularTitle:噪声作业工人护听器防护效果及其影响因素研究
- Author:
Zepeng LI
1
;
Xi ZHONG
;
Qifan HUANG
;
Yingyin ZHANG
;
Xi LUO
;
Shibiao SU
Author Information
1. Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510300, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Noise;
Hearing protectors;
Personal attenuation rating;
Fit testing;
Protective effect;
Influencing factor
- From:
China Occupational Medicine
2024;51(2):188-192
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect of hearing protectors worn by noise-exposed workers and its influencing factors. Methods A total of 329 occupational noise-exposed workers were selected as the research subjects by judgment sampling method. A questionnaire survey on the use of ear protectors and individual suitability tests was conducted. Intervention was carried out for those whose personal attenuation rating (PAR) did not pass the baseline standard. Results The median (M) and the 25th and 75th percentiles of baseline PAR were 17.0 (5.0, 22.5) dB. The baseline PAR of the workers who were male, aged 25-<35 years, with a working experience of 5-<15 years, with a college degree or above, wearing ear protectors for 5-<15 years, knowing the right way to wear ear protectors, and workers who wore ear protectors correctly during work was relatively high (all P<0.01). The unqualified rate of baseline PAR of the study subjects was 32.8%. The unqualified rate of baseline PAR of workers in automobile manufacturing enterprises was lower than that of workers in plastic enterprises and textile enterprises (9.2% vs 43.6%, and 9.2% vs 50.0%, both P<0.01). The M of the 108 unqualified worker on baseline PAR was improved after intervention (22.0 vs 1.0 dB, P<0.01). The rates of knowing the right way to wear ear protectors, wearing ear protectors correctly during work, and receiving training on wearing ear protectors correctly for the research subjects were 88.1%, 84.8%, and 86.6%, respectively. Workers in automobile manufacturing enterprises and plastic enterprises had higher rates of knowing the right way to wear ear protectors, wearing ear protectors correctly during work, and receiving training on wearing ear protectors correctly than those in textile enterprises (all P<0.01). Conclusion Gender, age, working experience, education level, duration of wearing ear protectors, knowledge and use of ear protectors correctly are influencing factors of the protective effect of ear protectors for noise-exposed workers.
