evaluation of noise-induced hearing loss on the workers of one of the ahvaz steel companies

Background: noise-induced hearing loss (nihl) is a preventable occupational health problem, which is considered among the 10 major work-related illnesses. according to the world health organization, repair of noise damage around the world costs four million dollars. objective: the aim of this study was to determine noise-induced hearing loss in a number of workers of the kaviyan steel industry. methods: in this descriptive-analytical study being of cross-sectional type, hearing status of 34maleworkerswasinvestigated. in the present study, workers were divided to 3 occupational groups; mechanics, turner and millers, and welders, and to determine a more exact noise exposure level based on network methodology, dosimeter was done using a tes 1358 audiometer for each group. statistical analysis was performed with the spss 16 statistical software using correlations, analysis of variance (anova) and independentsamples t test. results: the average age and work experience of the subjects was 36.587.48 and 11.116.8 years, respectively. no significant relationship was observed between sound pressure level and work experience with hearing loss (p > 0.05), yet a significant relationship was found between the decline in hearing threshold in 3000 hz, 4000 hz, and 6000 hz frequencies in the left ear and a frequency of 8000 hz in the right ear and work experience (p  0.05). the relationship between age and noise-induced hearing loss (nihl) was significant (p0.05). conclusion: the results showed that even in a situations where people are imposed to lower levels of noise exposure standards, increasing working experience and age may cause hearing loss.