Citation
Arnold, Michelle L.; Sanchez, Victoria A.; Carrasco, Danielle N.; Martinez, Diane; Dhar, Sumitrajit; Stickel, Ariana M.; Perreira, Krista M.; Athanasios, Tsalatsanis; & Lee, David J. (2023). Risk Factors Associated with Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos: A Cross-Sectional Epidemiologic Investigation. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 20(12), 586-597.Abstract
The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of occupational noise exposure and risk factors of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in Hispanic/Latino adults included in the baseline wave of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos collected from 2008-2011. Sequential multiple linear regression modeled the relationship between occupational NIHL (defined as a 3-, 4-, 6-kHz pure-tone average [PTA]) and occupation type, self-reported noise exposure, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk score, and hearing protective device (HPD) use. The final model controlled for sex, age, and recreational noise exposure. Among 12,851 included participants, approximately 40% (n = 5036) reported occupational noise exposure "Sometimes" (up to 50% of the time); or "Frequently" (75%-100% of the time). In the final fitted model, longest held occupation and CVD risk were associated with poorer hearing. Specifically, those in non-skilled, service, skilled, and military/police/other job categories had between 2.07- and 3.29-dB worse PTA than professional/office workers. Additionally, a shift in CVD risk score category from low to medium associated with a 2.25- and 8.20-dB worse PTA for medium and high CVD risk, respectively. Age and sex were also significantly associated with poorer hearing, such that men presented with 6.08 dB worse PTA than women, and for every one-year increase in age, PTA increased by 0.62 dB (ps < .001). No interactions were seen between noise*sometimes or frequent exposure to other ototoxic agents and PTA (ps = .33 & .92, respectively). Prevalence of occupational noise exposure was high in this cross-sectional investigation of adults from Hispanic/Latino backgrounds. Findings contribute to the extant literature by demonstrating that risk factors for occupational NIHL in adults from varying Hispanic/Latino backgrounds are consistent with those of other previously studied groups.URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2023.2250403Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2023Journal Title
Journal of Occupational and Environmental MedicineAuthor(s)
Arnold, Michelle L.Sanchez, Victoria A.
Carrasco, Danielle N.
Martinez, Diane
Dhar, Sumitrajit
Stickel, Ariana M.
Perreira, Krista M.
Athanasios, Tsalatsanis
Lee, David J.