Surveillance of noise-induced hearing loss in Taiwan, ROC: a report of the PRESS-NHL results

To understand the extent of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among noise-exposed workers, an ongoing public health surveillance system (Program to Reduce Exposure by Surveillance System or PRESS-NIHL) was established in Taiwan in 1995 to monitor the prevalence of NIHL.

A total of 9,535 noise-exposed (> 85 dBA) workers were recruited into PRESS-NIHL from January to June 1995. Each received a periodic annual audiometric examination at 1 of 73 well-qualified audiometric examination rooms in accredited hospitals. Among those examined, 9,463 audiograms were acceptable for evaluation to determine the severity of NIHL at 4K Hz.

The mean hearing threshold at 4K Hz was 36.8 dB among male workers and 29.7 dB among female workers. The mean hearing loss at 4K Hz of male workers was higher than that of female workers. Among both men and women, hearing ability was found to decrease with increasing age. A total of 3,216 (34.0%) workers were found to have NIHL, with a hearing threshold higher than 40 dB (NIHL) in either one or both ears. Among these workers, 1,886 (19.9%) had mild NIHL (hearing threshold between 40 and 55 dB) and 1,330 (14.1%) had severe NIHL (hearing threshold above 55 dB) in either one or both ears. The proportion of severe NIHL was higher in certain industries, including construction (38.6%), ship building/repairing (19.2%), and weapon manufacturing (13.6%).

This surveillance system for NIHL is on of the first surveillance systems in the world established to monitor and control NIHL in the setting of industrial hygiene and occupational disease prevention. Our finding of a high prevalence of NIHL in certain industries will trigger immediate actions to control noise hazard, which in turn will provide better protection for noise-exposed workers.