Abstract
Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is the most reported occupational disease in Malaysia. ONIHL is aggravated by the presence of early hearing loss amongst the youth prior to entering a real working environment. At technical and vocational education training (TVET) institutions, students may develop early ONIHL because training workshops are designed imitating the industrial working environment to produce skilled workers. The exceeding noise level at workshops and recent risk of non-occupational noise can cause early ONIHL among these students. Therefore, ONIHL must be addressed at the early stage of producing skilled workers. Octa hearing conservation index (OHCI) system is developed as a management and monitoring tool for hearing conservation program (HCP) in TVET institutions. Six existing and two new HCP components were used to build the index system. A pilot test on the effectiveness of the OHCI system was conducted in a selected TVET institution for six months. The post-HCP shows a 52.6% improvement compared to the pre-HCP. The implementation of HCP has shown improved awareness on the hazards of loud noise exposure and active use of hearing protection devices among participants. The OHCI system has a great potential as a tool to improve HCP implementation in TVET institutions, and eventually, industry.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that around 466 million people are suffering from hearing loss globally [1]
An existing hearing conservation program (HCP) was adopted by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Malaysia, to manage and control the risk arising from occupational noise exposure [22]
For the workers already affected by occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL), the implementation of HCP and Hearing Protection Device (HPD) use can help in preventing the worsening of hearing loss [24]
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that around 466 million people are suffering from hearing loss globally [1]. An existing hearing conservation program (HCP) was adopted by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Malaysia, to manage and control the risk arising from occupational noise exposure [22]. For the workers already affected by ONIHL, the implementation of HCP and HPD use can help in preventing the worsening of hearing loss [24]. Decibels introduced in the United States of America (USA) [47] This program has been implemented worldwide in various school intervention programs aims to increase awareness of noise exposure among students. Six components that are noise exposure monitoring, noise control, provision of hearing protection device (HPD), audiometric testing, education, and training program; and record-keeping was adapted from the existing HCP in Malaysia. Area noise monitoring, and self-reporting knowledge and ability were measured to study the effectiveness of proposed HCP implementation
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