Chronic noise exposure, high-frequency hearing loss, and hypertension among automotive assembly workers

The prevalence of hypertension and mean blood pressure was studied in 150 white men and 119 black men exposed to industrial noise of 85 dBA or greater for a minimum of 5 years. Mean decibel loss at 4000 Hz was 28.3 among the black workers and 45.3 among the white workers. 31.9% of the black men and 22.0% of the white men had hypertension, defined as diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mm Hg and/or currently taking hypertensive medication. After controlling for several potential confounding factors, hearing loss at 4000 Hz and years worked in high-noise departments were significantly associated with mean blood pressure and hypertension among the black workers. No correlation between mean blood pressure or the presence of hypertension and hearing loss at 4000 Hz or years worked in high-noise departments was found among the white workers.