title: Evaluation of hearing handicap in textile mill employees with noise induced hearing loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To calculate héaring handicap in textile mill employees with noise induced hearing loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Model Mills, Nagpur and Govt. Medical College, Nagpur.
  
  
  METHODS
  77 employees with noise induced hearing loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  Noise levels (by sound level meter), Noise Induced Hearing Loss (by audiometry), Hearing handicap (AAOO guidelines).
  
  
  METHODS
  Chi square test, Odds ratios, ANOVA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NIHL was significantly higher (76.6%) in employees exposed to >85 dB(A) than to 70-85 dB(A) (35.2%) and to <70 dB(A) (10.7%) (x(2)=60.6, df=2, p<0.001). Hearing handicap in employees with NIHL increased in severity as the noise level increased. Average hearing handicap was significantly higher (12.5%) in >85 dB(A) exposure group than 70-85 dB(A) (7.9%) and <70 dB(A) (4.9%) exposure groups (F=5.17, p <0.05). The risk of having hearing handicap >10% was 5.2 times higher in > 85 dB(A) exposure group than in <85 dB(A) exposure group (OR = 5.22, 95% C.I. 1.76-15.44).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One third of textile mill employees had hearing handicap. Noise levels >85 dB(A) are associated with high proportion as well as greater severity of hearing handicap.
authors.affiliation: Preventive and Social Medicine Government Medical College, Nagpur M.S.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ruikar
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Motghare
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Vasudeo
keywords: Hearing Handicap; Noise Induced Hearing Loss; Textile Mill Employees