Knowledge of noise harmfulness in hearing health from the workers perspective

Abstract

This study descriptive, cross-sectional, and quantitative study analyzed workers' knowledge about the effects of noise on hearing health, based on 158 medical records from the Workers' Health Reference Center (CEREST) ​​of the Joinville/SC macro-region, between 2015 and 2018. The sample was composed mostly of women (61%), with a mean age of 46 years. Hearing complaints were reported by 67% of workers, with tinnitus (56%) and difficulty communicating (54%) being the most frequent symptoms. Occupational exposure to noise was associated with multiple extra-auditory symptoms, such as fatigue (45%), anxiety (42%), and headache (42%). Only 35% of workers reported prior knowledge about the risks of noise, and regular use of Hearing Protection Equipment (HPE) was recorded in only 23% of cases. The analysis of audiometric tests indicated that 58% of the workers had hearing alterations, 11% of which were compatible with Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). The most common losses were sensorineural, with a predominant bilateral distribution. The statistical association revealed that the presence of hearing complaints and altered audiometric results were significantly related to the presence of NIHL (p<0.000). The findings show failures in the prevention of noise exposure and in raising awareness among workers about its effects on hearing health, highlighting the importance of continuous educational strategies and effective preventive actions in the workplace.

Key words: audiology; worker health; noise occupational; hearing loss.