Abstract
BackgroundSignificant sex differences exist in hearing physiology, while few human studies have investigated sex differences in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and the sex bias in previous studies resulted in inadequate female data. The study aims to investigate sex differences in the characteristics of NIHL to provide insight into sex-specific risk factors, prevention strategies and treatment for NIHL.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 2280 industrial noise-exposed shipyard workers (1140 males and 1140 females matched for age, job and employment length) in China. Individual noise exposure levels were measured to calculate the cumulative noise exposure (CNE), and an audiometric test was performed by an experienced technician in a soundproof booth. Sex differences in and influencing factors of low-frequency (LFHL) and high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL) were analyzed using logistic regression models stratified by age and CNE.ResultsAt comparable noise exposure levels and ages, the prevalence of HFHL was significantly higher in males (34.4%) than in females (13.8%), and males had a higher prevalence of HFHL (OR = 4.19, 95% CI 3.18 to 5.52) after adjusting for age, CNE, and other covariates. Sex differences were constant and highly remarkable among subjects aged 30 to 40 years and those with a CNE of 80 to 95 dB(A). Alcohol consumption might be a risk factor for HFHL in females (OR = 3.12, 95% CI 1.10 to 8.89).ConclusionsThis study indicates significant sex differences in NIHL. Males are at higher risk of HFHL than females despite equivalent noise exposure and age. The risk factors for NIHL might be different in males and females.
Highlights
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most common occupational diseases worldwide [1]; it results in a considerable economic burden and personal physiological impacts, especially among those in developing countries [2]
We found that alcohol consumption was a covariate associated with highfrequency hearing loss (HFHL) in only females; this association was nonsignificant in males
A study of 790 aircraft-manufacturing workers in Taiwan showed that 27.1% of them had high-frequency hearing loss [20], while another recent study suggested that 10.3% of 1214 Chinese male train drivers had HFHL
Summary
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most common occupational diseases worldwide [1]; it results in a considerable economic burden and personal physiological impacts, especially among those in developing countries [2]. The existence of sex differences in NIHL in humans has been disputed. This is an important issue since exposure to various occupational noises has become increasingly prevalent in females recently [4]. Significant sex differences exist in hearing physiology, while few human studies have investigated sex differences in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and the sex bias in previous studies resulted in inadequate female data. The study aims to investigate sex differences in the characteristics of NIHL to provide insight into sex-specific risk factors, prevention strategies and treatment for NIHL
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