Screening for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among Palm Oil Mill Workers in Peninsular Malaysia: A Comparison across Noise Exposure Levels
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Population and Sampling Method
2.2. Study Subjects
2.3. Noise Assessment Report (NRA)
2.4. Pure-Tone Audiometric Test
2.5. Data Analysis
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
- Concha-Barrientos, M.; Campbell-Lendrum, D.; Steenland, K.; Prüss-Üstün, A.; Campbell-Lendrum, D.; Corvalán, C.; Woodward, A. Occupational Noise: Assessing the Burden of Disease from Work-Related Hearing Impairment at National and Local Levels; World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland, 2004. [Google Scholar]
- Goelzer, B.; Hansen, C.H.; Sehrndt, G.A. Occupational Exposure to Noise: Evaluation, Prevention and Control; World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland, 2001. [Google Scholar]
- Holy, R.; Zavazalova, S.; Prochazkova, K.; Kalfert, D.; Younus, T.; Dosel, P.; Kovar, D.; Janouskova, K.; Oniscenko, B.; Fik, Z.; et al. The Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Corticosteroid Therapy in Acute Acoustic Trauma: 15 Years’ Experience at the Czech Military Health Service. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 4460. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- World Health Organization. Addressing the Rising Prevalence of Hearing Loss; World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland, 2018. [Google Scholar]
- Fuente, A.; Hickson, L. Noise-induced hearing loss in Asia. Int. J. Audiol. 2011, 50, S3–S10. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kushairi, A.; Singh, R.; Ong-Abdullah, M. The Oil Palm Industry in Malaysia: Thriving with Transformative Technologies. J. Oil Palm Res. 2018, 29, 431–439. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ghulam Kadir, A.P.; Ahmad Tarmizi, A.H.; Sundram, S.; Loh, S.K.; Ong-Abdullah, M.; Palam, K.D.P.; Salleh, K.M.; Ishak, S.M.; Idris, Z. Oil Palm Economic Performance in Malaysia and R&D Progress in 2020. J. Oil Palm Res. 2021, 33, 181–214. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Shukri, N.F.M.; Kuntom, A.; Jamaluddin, M.F.; Mohamed, M.N.; Menon, N.R. Code of Good Milling Practice in Enhancing Sustainable Palm Oil Production. J. Oil Palm Res. 2020, 32, 688–695. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Naeini, R.L.; Tamrin, S.B.H.M. The Prevalence of Occupational Stress as a Non-Auditory Effect of Noise. Asian J. Med. Pharm. Res. 2014, 4, 78–84. [Google Scholar]
- Sari, M.A.; Adnan, A.; Munir, D.; Eyanoer, P.C. The correlation of smoking and noise induced hearing loss on workers at a palm oil factory X in Medan-Indonesia. Bali Med. J. 2017, 6, 637. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hasrul, N.; Ngadiman, A.; Mansur, R.; Sirat, R.; Mohd, M.F. Safety and Risk Evaluation Using HIRARC Model at Palm Oil Mill. Int. J. Innov. Technol. Explor. Eng. 2019, 8, 790–797. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Juwarna, W.; Adnan, A.; Haryuna, T.S. Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Begerpang Palm Oil Mill Workers. Otorhinolaryngol. Clin. Int. J. 2018, 10, 56–60. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Factories and Machinery Act 1967. Factories and Machinery (Noise Exposure) Regulations 1989; Malaysian Statutes: Malaysia, 1989. [Google Scholar]
- Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994. Occupational Safety and Health (Noise Exposure) Regulations 2019; Malaysian Statutes: Malaysia, 2019. [Google Scholar]
- Nyarubeli, I.P.; Tungu, A.M.; Moen, B.E.; Bråtveit, M. Prevalence of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among Tanzanian Iron and Steel Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 1367. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Zaw, A.K.; Myat, A.M.; Thandar, M.; Htun, Y.M.; Aung, T.H.; Tun, K.M.; Han, Z.M. Assessment of Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss Among Workers in Textile Mill (Thamine), Myanmar: A Cross-Sectional Study. Saf. Health Work. 2020, 11, 199–206. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sam, W.Y.; Anita, A.R.; Hayati, K.S.; Haslinda, A.; Lim, C.S. Prevalence of Hearing Loss and Hearing Impairment among Small and Medium Enterprise Workers in Selangor, Malaysia. Sains Malays. 2017, 46, 267–274. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Robinson, T.; Whittaker, J.; Acharya, A.; Singh, D.; Smith, M. Prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss among woodworkers in Nepal: A pilot study. Int. J. Occup. Environ. Health 2014, 21, 14–22. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Whittaker, J.D.; Robinson, T.; Acharya, A.; Singh, D.; Smith, M. Noise-induced hearing loss in small-scale metal industry in Nepal. J. Laryngol. Otol. 2014, 128, 871–880. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Ismail, A.F.; Daud, A.; Ismail, Z.; Abdullah, B. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Among Quarry Workers in a North-Eastern State of Malaysia: A Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice. Oman Med. J. 2013, 28, 331–336. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lie, A.; Skogstad, M.; Johannessen, H.A.; Tynes, T.; Mehlum, I.S.; Nordby, K.-C.; Engdahl, B.; Tambs, K. Occupational noise exposure and hearing: A systematic review. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 2015, 89, 351–372. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Rong, T.X.; Hassim, M.H.; Halim, M.Z.B.A. Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) Effect among Workers in Small Medium Enterprises (SME) in Malaysia. Chem. Eng. Trans. 2017, 56, 1741–1746. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Li, X.; Rong, X.; Wang, Z.; Lin, A. Association between Smoking and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 1201. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Chen, Y.; Zhang, M.; Qiu, W.; Sun, X.; Wang, X.; Dong, Y.; Chen, Z.; Hu, W. Prevalence and determinants of noise-induced hearing loss among workers in the automotive industry in China: A pilot study. J. Occup. Health 2019, 61, 387–397. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Department of Occupational Safety & Health Malaysia. Industry Code of Practice for Management of Occupational Noise Exposure and Hearing Conservation 2019; Department of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia: Malaysia, 2019.
- Masilamani, R.; Rasib, A.; Darus, A.; Ting, A.S. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Associated Factors among Vector Control Workers in a Malaysian State. Asia Pac. J. Public Health 2012, 26, 642–650. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mirza, R.; Kirchner, D.B.; Dobie, R.A.; Crawford, J. Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2018, 60, e498–e501. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Le, T.N.; Straatman, L.V.; Lea, J.; Westerberg, B. Current insights in noise-induced hearing loss: A literature review of the underlying mechanism, pathophysiology, asymmetry, and management options. J. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 2017, 46, 1–15. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Coles, R.; Lutman, M.; Buffin, J. Guidelines on the diagnosis of noise-induced hearing loss for medicolegal purposes. Clin. Otolaryngol. 2000, 25, 264–273. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Rabinowitz, P.M.; Galusha, D.; Slade, M.D.; Dixon-Ernst, C.; Sircar, K.D.; Dobie, R.A. Audiogram Notches in Noise-Exposed Workers. Ear Hear. 2006, 27, 742–750. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Nondahl, D.M.; Shi, X.; Cruickshanks, K.J.; Dalton, D.S.; Tweed, T.S.; Wiley, T.L.; Carmichael, L.L. Notched Audiograms and Noise Exposure History in Older Adults. Ear Hear. 2009, 30, 696–703. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Arenas, J.; Suter, A. Comparison of occupational noise legislation in the Americas: An overview and analysis. Noise Health 2014, 16, 306. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sayapathi, B.S.; Su, A.T.; Koh, D. The Effectiveness of Applying Different Permissible Exposure Limits in Preserving the Hearing Threshold Level: A Systematic Review. J. Occup. Health 2014, 56, 1–11. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Themann, C.L.; Masterson, E.A. Occupational noise exposure: A review of its effects, epidemiology, and impact with recommendations for reducing its burden. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 2019, 146, 3879–3905. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Tikka, C.; Verbeek, J.H.; Kateman, E.; Morata, T.C.; A Dreschler, W.; Ferrite, S. Interventions to prevent occupational noise-induced hearing loss. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2017, 2019, CD006396. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hong, O.; Chin, D.L.; Ronis, D.L. Predictors of Hearing Protection Behavior among Firefighters in the United States. Int. J. Behav. Med. 2011, 20, 121–130. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lawson, S.M.; Masterson, E.A.; Azman, A.S. Prevalence of hearing loss among noise-exposed workers within the Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction sectors, 2006–2015. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2019, 62, 826–837. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Sam, W.Y.; Anita, A.R.; Hayati, K.S.; Haslinda, A.; Lim, C.S. Shift Work as a Predictor of Hearing Protection Devices Use Among Manufacturing Workers in Selangor, Malaysia. Int. J. Public Health Clin. Sci. 2016, 3, 2289–7577. [Google Scholar]
- Yahya, S.N.; Rahman, N.A.A.; Razali, A.; Rahman, N.I.A.; Haque, M. Satisfaction Study of Using Hearing Protection Device among Sawmill Workers in Kuantan, Malaysia. Int. J. Pharm. Res. 2016, 8, 50–56. [Google Scholar]
Workstation | Range of Noise Levels | ||
---|---|---|---|
LEQ,8 h (dBA) | Max Level (dBA) | Peak Level (dBC) | |
Boiler house | 84.4–96.1 | 106.2–122.3 | 124.2–143.0 |
Engine room | 84.4–95.4 | 106.2–118.4 | 124.2–138.8 |
Grading area | 76.5–81.6 | 102.7–109.4 | 116.6–128.2 |
Kernel station | 87.1–93.0 | 98.6–117.5 | 122.1–140.7 |
Loading ramp | 81.6–89.9 | 107.6–113.5 | 123.0–138.9 |
Oil room | 84.5–90.8 | 95.1–120.3 | 120.3–138.4 |
Press station | 85.1–90.5 | 94.2–122.5 | 125.1–138.8 |
Sterilizer | 81.4–93.6 | 104.8–119.4 | 128.5–138.5 |
Workshop | 77.8–91.7 | 101.3–121.3 | 128.6–145.2 |
Variables | n (%) | |
---|---|---|
Gender | ||
Male | 486 (98.4) | |
Female | 8 (1.6) | |
Work description | ||
Office | 64 (12.9) | |
General worker | 17 (3.5) | |
Maintenance | 101 (20.5) | |
Operator | 301 (60.9) | |
Supervisor | 11 (2.2) | |
Age (Range 21–59) | 41.03 (10.095) a | |
20–29 years | 80 (16.2) | |
30–39 years | 147 (29.8) | |
40–49 years | 126 (25.5) | |
50–59 years | 141 (28.5) | |
Work duration (Range 0.5–39.4) | 14.61 (10.29) a | |
≤5 years | 109 (22.1) | |
6–10 years | 123 (24.9) | |
11–15 years | 52 (10.5) | |
16–20 years | 50 (10.1) | |
>20 years | 160 (32.4) | |
Exposure level | ||
Low | 64 (13.0) | |
Moderate | 263 (53.2) | |
High | 167 (33.8) | |
Hearing condition (Worse ear) | ||
Normal hearing | 119 (24.1) | |
Mild hearing loss | 188 (38.0) | |
Moderate hearing loss | 154 (31.6) | |
Severe hearing loss | 29 (6.1) | |
Profound hearing loss | 4 (0.2) |
Variables | Exposure Level | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low n = 64 | Moderate n = 263 | High n = 167 | |||
Gender | |||||
Male | 57 | 262 | 167 | ||
Female | 7 | 1 | 0 | ||
Work description | |||||
Office | 64 | 0 | 0 | ||
General worker | 0 | 17 | 0 | ||
Maintenance | 0 | 97 | 4 | ||
Operator | 0 | 138 | 163 | ||
Supervisor | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
Mean (SD) | p | ||||
Age | 41.95 (10.417) | 41.77 (9.984) | 39.53 (10.034) | 0.059 b | |
Working duration | 15.14 (10.647) | 15.36 (10.428) | 14.26 (9.910) | 0.551 b |
Variables | Exposure Level | Total, n (%) | p | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low (n = 44) | Moderate (n = 195) | High (n = 129) | ||||
Laterality | ||||||
Unilateral | 21 | 61 | 35 | 117 (31.8) | <0.039 c | |
Bilateral | 23 | 134 | 94 | 251 (68.2) | ||
Severity | ||||||
Mild | 31 | 90 | 60 | 181 (49.2) | <0.034 d | |
Moderate | 9 | 91 | 54 | 154 (41.8) | ||
Severe | 2 | 13 | 14 | 29 (7.9) | ||
Profound | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 (1.1) |
Variable | Crude OR (95% CI) | p | |
---|---|---|---|
Exposure level | |||
Low | 1 | ||
Moderate | 1.852 (1.052, 3.258) | 0.033 | |
High | 2.295 (1.266, 4.162) | 0.006 | |
Age | 1.088 (1.067, 1.110) | <0.001 | |
Work duration | 1.062 (1.043, 1.083) | <0.001 |
Variable | B | Adjusted OR (95% CI) | p | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Exposure | ||||
Low | 1 | |||
Moderate | 0.766 | 2.150 (1.159, 3.991) | 0.015 | |
High | 1.242 | 3.462 (1.784, 6.716) | <0.001 | |
Age | 0.091 | 1.095 (1.072, 1.118) | <0.001 |
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. |
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Ammar, S.; Daud, A.; Ismail, A.F.; Razali, A. Screening for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among Palm Oil Mill Workers in Peninsular Malaysia: A Comparison across Noise Exposure Levels. Standards 2022, 2, 32-42. https://doi.org/10.3390/standards2010003
Ammar S, Daud A, Ismail AF, Razali A. Screening for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among Palm Oil Mill Workers in Peninsular Malaysia: A Comparison across Noise Exposure Levels. Standards. 2022; 2(1):32-42. https://doi.org/10.3390/standards2010003
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmmar, Sirri, Aziah Daud, Ahmad Filza Ismail, and Ailin Razali. 2022. "Screening for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among Palm Oil Mill Workers in Peninsular Malaysia: A Comparison across Noise Exposure Levels" Standards 2, no. 1: 32-42. https://doi.org/10.3390/standards2010003