Premium
Cardiovascular conditions, hearing difficulty, and occupational noise exposure within US industries and occupations
Author(s) -
Kerns Ellen,
Masterson Elizabeth A.,
Themann Christa L.,
Calvert Geoffrey M.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22833
Subject(s) - medicine , environmental health , noise (video) , hearing loss , occupational exposure , occupational safety and health , audiology , noise exposure , industrial noise , stroke (engine) , occupational medicine , pathology , artificial intelligence , computer science , image (mathematics) , mechanical engineering , engineering
Background The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of occupational noise exposure, hearing difficulty and cardiovascular conditions within US industries and occupations, and to examine any associations of these outcomes with occupational noise exposure. Methods National Health Interview Survey data from 2014 were examined. Weighted prevalence and adjusted prevalence ratios of self‐reported hearing difficulty, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and coronary heart disease or stroke were estimated by level of occupational noise exposure, industry, and occupation. Results Twenty‐five percent of current workers had a history of occupational noise exposure (14% exposed in the last year), 12% had hearing difficulty, 24% had hypertension, 28% had elevated cholesterol; 58%, 14%, and 9% of these cases can be attributed to occupational noise exposure, respectively. Conclusions Hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and hearing difficulty are more prevalent among noise‐exposed workers. Reducing workplace noise levels is critical. Workplace‐based health and wellness programs should also be considered.