Objectives <p>This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hearing loss among welders, grinders, and stampers in a district of Ningbo City, identify distinct subtypes of hearing loss, and explore associated risk factors.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using occupational health examination records and on-site environmental monitoring data from enterprises in a district of Ningbo City in 2023. A data-driven clustering approach with a Gaussian mixture model, was used to identify subtypes of hearing loss. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with hearing loss.</p> Results <p>The prevalence of hearing loss was 54.24% among welders (<i>n</i> = 695), 58.95% among grinders (<i>n</i> = 497), and 64.36% among stampers (<i>n</i> = 390). Increased age, male sex, high noise exposure, and employment within the Construction and Related Services were significant risk factors. Three subtypes of hearing loss were identified: Class 1 (mild, flat threshold elevation at 4–6&#xa0;kHz), Class 2 (steep threshold elevation at 3–6&#xa0;kHz), and Class 3 (elevation in speech-frequency ranges). Class 2 was the most prevalent and showed the strongest association with occupational noise exposure.</p> Conclusion <p>Hearing loss is common among welders, grinders, and stampers, with stampers being the most affected. Class 2 audiometric pattern was consistent with noise - induced hearing loss. These findings highlight the need for targeted preventive measures in high-risk occupational settings.</p>

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Prevalence, subtypes, and risk factors of noise-Induced hearing loss in high-risk occupations: a cross-sectional study in Ningbo

  • Fanfu Zeng,
  • Xinning Gao,
  • Guochuan Mao,
  • Huayun Yi,
  • Renhai Chen,
  • Shangshu Yan

摘要

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hearing loss among welders, grinders, and stampers in a district of Ningbo City, identify distinct subtypes of hearing loss, and explore associated risk factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using occupational health examination records and on-site environmental monitoring data from enterprises in a district of Ningbo City in 2023. A data-driven clustering approach with a Gaussian mixture model, was used to identify subtypes of hearing loss. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with hearing loss.

Results

The prevalence of hearing loss was 54.24% among welders (n = 695), 58.95% among grinders (n = 497), and 64.36% among stampers (n = 390). Increased age, male sex, high noise exposure, and employment within the Construction and Related Services were significant risk factors. Three subtypes of hearing loss were identified: Class 1 (mild, flat threshold elevation at 4–6 kHz), Class 2 (steep threshold elevation at 3–6 kHz), and Class 3 (elevation in speech-frequency ranges). Class 2 was the most prevalent and showed the strongest association with occupational noise exposure.

Conclusion

Hearing loss is common among welders, grinders, and stampers, with stampers being the most affected. Class 2 audiometric pattern was consistent with noise - induced hearing loss. These findings highlight the need for targeted preventive measures in high-risk occupational settings.