THE IMPACT OF OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE ON AUDITORY FUNCTION AND POSTURAL STABILITY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN AN INDUSTRIAL FACILITY IN SUMATERA
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Keywords:
NIHL, Balance impairments, Fertilizer Manufacturing PlantAbstract
Chronic industrial noise exposure is an occupational health risk that can affect both the auditory and balance systems. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between noise intensity and duration of exposure with hearing function and postural stability among industrial workers. An analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted on 35 male workers in an industrial facility in Sumatra. Hearing function was assessed using pure-tone audiometry and DPOAE, while postural stability was evaluated through a series of clinical tests, with instability defined as at least one abnormal result. Workplace noise levels ranged from 85–99 dB, and all subjects had more than 10 years of service. The prevalence of hearing impairment was 42.9%, while postural instability reached 77.1%. Spearman correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between noise intensity or duration of exposure with hearing function and postural stability (p > 0.05), and no association was found between hearing impairment and postural instability (p = 0.147). The high prevalence of both conditions without significant linear correlation may be influenced by the homogeneous range of noise exposure and duration among the study subjects.
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