Characteristics of hearing loss among noise-exposed workers in the lithium battery manufacturing industry
10.20001/j.issn.2095-2619.20260418
- VernacularTitle:锂电池制造业噪声作业工人听力损失特征分析
- Author:
Yunqiang XU
1
;
Chunnian YOU
;
Rongguang LI
;
Huandi CHEN
;
Yongxiang TANG
;
Jijun GUO
;
Huanwen TANG
Author Information
1. School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Noise;
Hearing loss;
Frequency;
Length of service;
Lithium battery manufacturing;
Dose-response relationship
- From:
China Occupational Medicine
2026;53(2):223-226
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To analyze the characteristics of hearing loss at different frequencies among noise-exposed workers in a lithium battery manufacturing enterprise. Methods A total of 1 954 noise-exposed workers from a large lithium battery manufacturing enterprise were selected as the study subjects using the judgmental sampling method. Pure-tone audiometry, individual noise exposure level monitoring, and workplace noise intensity measurement were conducted. Results The overall detection rate of hearing loss among the study subjects was 39.0%. The detection rates of unilateral and bilateral hearing loss were 21.0% (410/1 954) and 18.0% (352/1 954), respectively. The detection rate of hearing loss in the right ear was higher than that in the left ear (30.1% vs 26.9%, P<0.05). The detection rates of elevated hearing thresholds at high frequencies and speech frequencies were 38.8% and 1.1%, respectively. Comparisons of the detection rates of elevated hearing thresholds across different frequencies between the left and right ears showed significant differences (all P<0.01); specifically, the detection rate at 4.0 kHz in the right ear was higher than that in the left ear (P<0.01). The detection rates of elevated hearing thresholds at 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 kHz increased with longer duration of noise exposure (all P<0.05). Except at 1.0 kHz, the detection rates of elevated hearing thresholds at 0.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 6.0 kHz showed increasing trends with age (all P<0.05). Conclusion Hearing loss among noise-exposed workers in the lithium battery manufacturing industry is predominant in the high-frequency type, with the highest sensitivity at 4.0 kHz and greater susceptibility in the right ear. The detection rate of high frequency hearing loss increases with longer noise exposure duration and advacing age. Health surveillance should focus on workers with longer noise exposure duration and older age. Noise control measures should be strengthened.
