ArticleThe Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association2023
Prevalence and correlates of occupational noise-induced hearing loss among workers in the steel industry.
Article in The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 15 citations in OpenAlex.
- Occupational health in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): A systematic review and call for comprehensive policy development.PloS one · 2024Pooled it
- Research Progress and Suggestions on the Noise Equal Energy Hypothesis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Noise & healthPooled it
- Situational analysis of health systems for ear and hearing care in the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region: A systematic review and evidence synthesis to inform national policies and strategies.SSM - health systems · 2026Article
- Impact of Occupational Noise Exposure on Physical and Mental Health of Water Pumping Station Operators in Lebanon.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026Article
- Effects of mixed blood metals on hearing loss among steel workers: a case-control study.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- A review of occupational noise-induced hearing loss: focus on mechanisms and preventive measures.British medical bulletin · 2025Review
- Article
- Review
- Occupational Noise Exposure and Self-Reported Hearing Loss amongst Workers in Primary Coffee Processing Factories in Ethiopia.Noise & healthArticle
- Prevalence of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among Truck Drivers: a Cross-Sectional Study in Lucknow.Noise & healthArticle
- The role of the occupational physician in the early detection of occupational diseases.Revista brasileira de medicina do trabalho : publicacao oficial da Associacao Nacional de Medicina do Trabalho-ANAMTReview
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Authors and funding
3 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe steel industry is one of the noisiest industries, which can predispose workers to hearing loss. In Egypt, the demand for steel is increasing due to the construction of new infrastructures as bridges, flyover roads, buildings, and towers; however, little is known about the prevalence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among steel workers. Understanding the distribution of the affected workers is crucial for planning prevention strategies. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of occupational NIHL among Egyptian steel workers and identify its correlates.
methodsThis study was conducted at two steel factories in Egypt in November 2021. It involved an initial retrospective review of the factory medical records of the latest periodic medical examination conducted on workers from July to September in the year 2021 representing workers' health status in that year. Then, a case-control approach analysis was carried out. Eligible workers (n = 606) were enrolled and divided into two groups: noise-exposed workers (n = 396) and unexposed workers (n = 210). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed.
resultsOccupational exposure to hazardous A-weighted equivalent noise level (> 85 dB) was associated with higher hearing thresholds at all frequencies (highest at 4 kHz followed by 6 kHz), particularly in younger workers below the age of 40 years. Nearly 71% of noise-exposed workers had hearing impairment, and 47% had NIHL compared with unexposed workers (45.7% and 11.9%, respectively). The probability of NIHL in noise-exposed workers was 6.55 times higher than that in unexposed workers (OR = 6.55, 95%CI = 4.13, 10.40; p < 0.001). In noise-exposed workers, age and tinnitus were independent predictors of hearing thresholds, while tinnitus was found to be an independent predictor of NIHL after adjusting for age and job duration (OR = 2.06, 95%CI = 1.01, 4.20; p = 0.045).
conclusionAlmost half of noise-exposed workers had NIHL. Tinnitus was found to be an independent predictor of NIHL. Decreasing noise exposure levels in steel plants is recommended to reduce hearing loss. Future research is required to study the effect of tinnitus on audiometry measurements among workers with NIHL.
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