Abstract
BackgroundNoise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a major concern in the non-manufacturing industries. This study aimed to investigate the occupational noise exposure and the NIHL among Chinese restaurant workers and entertainment employees working in the service industry in Hong Kong.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey involved a total of 1,670 participants. Among them, 937 were randomly selected from the workers of Chinese restaurants and 733 were selected from workers in three entertainment sectors: radio and television stations; cultural performance halls or auditoria of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD); and karaoke bars. Noise exposure levels were measured in the sampled restaurants and entertainment sectors. Each participant received an audiometric screening test. Those who were found to have abnormalities were required to take another diagnostic test in the health center. The “Klockhoff digit” method was used to classify NIHL in the present study.ResultsThe main source of noise inside restaurants was the stoves. The mean hearing thresholds showed a typical dip at 3 to 6 KHz and a substantial proportion (23.7%) of the workers fulfilled the criteria for presumptive NIHL. For entertainment sectors, employees in radio and television stations generally had higher exposure levels than those in the halls or auditoria of the LCSD and karaoke bars. The mean hearing thresholds showed a typical dip at 6 KHz and a substantial proportion of the employees fulfilled the criteria for presumptive NIHL (38.6%, 95%CI: 35.1–42.1%). Being male, older, and having longer service and daily alcohol consumption were associated with noise-induced hearing impairment both in restaurant workers and entertainment employees.ConclusionExcessive noise exposure is common in the Chinese restaurant and entertainment industries and a substantial proportion of restaurant workers and entertainment employees suffer from NIHL. Comprehensive hearing conservation programs should be introduced to the service industry in Hong Kong.
Highlights
Occupational Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has been regarded as a global public health problem, and systematic research on occupational NIHL was performed as early as the late 19th century [1]
Our results show that noise exposure is common and excessive in Chinese restaurants and in the entertainment industry in Hong Kong
The mean hearing thresholds show a typical dip at 3 to 6 KHz and a substantial proportion of restaurant workers fulfilled the criteria for P-NIHL and High Tone Loss’’ (HTL) (23.7% suffer from P-NIHK and 11.3% suffer from HTL) [15]; for the entertainment employees, our results show that excessive sound exposure was common for radio program presenters who wore a headset during work in the radio and television stations
Summary
Occupational NIHL has been regarded as a global public health problem, and systematic research on occupational NIHL was performed as early as the late 19th century [1]. It has been estimated that around nine million workers in the USA are exposed to a time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA or above [2]. In Europe, a survey has shown that 28% of workers are exposed to noise levels of approximately 85–90 dBA [3]. About 16% of hearing loss worldwide is attributable to occupational noise exposure [4,5]. During the last few decades, most occupational NIHL researches and preventive strategies have been focused mainly on the workers in traditional industries. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a major concern in the non-manufacturing industries.
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