Industrial noise: impacts on workers’ health and performance below permissible limits
Abstract Background This study investigates the adverse effects of industrial noise below permissible limits on hearing health, work performance, and work stress among workers in medium-sized enterprises. Methods The study included two medium-sized enterprises and a total of 172 workers. A comprehen...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22732-1 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849314737702043648 |
|---|---|
| author | Özge Gedik Toker Nida Tas Elibol Elif Kuru Zeynep Görmezoğlu Ali Görener Kerem Toker |
| author_facet | Özge Gedik Toker Nida Tas Elibol Elif Kuru Zeynep Görmezoğlu Ali Görener Kerem Toker |
| author_sort | Özge Gedik Toker |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background This study investigates the adverse effects of industrial noise below permissible limits on hearing health, work performance, and work stress among workers in medium-sized enterprises. Methods The study included two medium-sized enterprises and a total of 172 workers. A comprehensive noise assessment was conducted in both enterprises. Workplace noise levels were recorded using a Larson Davis SoundAdvisor™ Model 831C sound level meter, following ISO 1996–2:2017 standards. The enterprises were categorized as low-noise (mean: 60.55 dB(A), range: 55.6–66.7 dB(A)) and high-noise (mean: 78.22 dB(A), range: 76.5–80.1 dB(A)) groups. Participants' air conduction hearing thresholds (0.5–8 kHz) were measured using an Interacoustics AS608 audiometer. Sociodemographic data were collected, and auditory complaints were assessed through face-to-face interviews. Workers completed the Job Stress Scale, while their supervisors evaluated their performance using the Job Performance Scale. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results Our analysis revealed elevated hearing thresholds at 2000 and 4000 Hz in both ears and at 6000 Hz in the left ear among workers in the high-noise group. Additionally, employees exposed to higher noise levels demonstrated lower work performance (P < 0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was found in work stress levels between the low- and high-noise groups (P > 0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between age and hearing thresholds in both groups, whereas no relationship was found between age and work stress or work performance. Furthermore, no correlation was detected between work stress and work performance. Conclusion This study highlights the serious health risks associated with industrial noise, even when exposure remains below permissible limits. The findings emphasize the need for effective noise control measures to protect workers’ health and performance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eadb9da4e4dd4446baac1b19d325d51d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-eadb9da4e4dd4446baac1b19d325d51d2025-08-20T03:52:20ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-05-0125111010.1186/s12889-025-22732-1Industrial noise: impacts on workers’ health and performance below permissible limitsÖzge Gedik Toker0Nida Tas Elibol1Elif Kuru2Zeynep Görmezoğlu3Ali Görener4Kerem Toker5Department of Audiology, Bezmialem Vakif UniversityDepartment of Audiology, Bezmialem Vakif UniversityDepartment of Audiology, Bezmialem Vakif UniversitySecretary General, Bezmialem Vakif UniversityDepartment of Business Administration, İstanbul Commerce UniversityDepartment of Health Management, Bezmialem Vakif UniversityAbstract Background This study investigates the adverse effects of industrial noise below permissible limits on hearing health, work performance, and work stress among workers in medium-sized enterprises. Methods The study included two medium-sized enterprises and a total of 172 workers. A comprehensive noise assessment was conducted in both enterprises. Workplace noise levels were recorded using a Larson Davis SoundAdvisor™ Model 831C sound level meter, following ISO 1996–2:2017 standards. The enterprises were categorized as low-noise (mean: 60.55 dB(A), range: 55.6–66.7 dB(A)) and high-noise (mean: 78.22 dB(A), range: 76.5–80.1 dB(A)) groups. Participants' air conduction hearing thresholds (0.5–8 kHz) were measured using an Interacoustics AS608 audiometer. Sociodemographic data were collected, and auditory complaints were assessed through face-to-face interviews. Workers completed the Job Stress Scale, while their supervisors evaluated their performance using the Job Performance Scale. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results Our analysis revealed elevated hearing thresholds at 2000 and 4000 Hz in both ears and at 6000 Hz in the left ear among workers in the high-noise group. Additionally, employees exposed to higher noise levels demonstrated lower work performance (P < 0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was found in work stress levels between the low- and high-noise groups (P > 0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between age and hearing thresholds in both groups, whereas no relationship was found between age and work stress or work performance. Furthermore, no correlation was detected between work stress and work performance. Conclusion This study highlights the serious health risks associated with industrial noise, even when exposure remains below permissible limits. The findings emphasize the need for effective noise control measures to protect workers’ health and performance.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22732-1Occupational noiseHearing lossWork stressWork performance |
| spellingShingle | Özge Gedik Toker Nida Tas Elibol Elif Kuru Zeynep Görmezoğlu Ali Görener Kerem Toker Industrial noise: impacts on workers’ health and performance below permissible limits BMC Public Health Occupational noise Hearing loss Work stress Work performance |
| title | Industrial noise: impacts on workers’ health and performance below permissible limits |
| title_full | Industrial noise: impacts on workers’ health and performance below permissible limits |
| title_fullStr | Industrial noise: impacts on workers’ health and performance below permissible limits |
| title_full_unstemmed | Industrial noise: impacts on workers’ health and performance below permissible limits |
| title_short | Industrial noise: impacts on workers’ health and performance below permissible limits |
| title_sort | industrial noise impacts on workers health and performance below permissible limits |
| topic | Occupational noise Hearing loss Work stress Work performance |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22732-1 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ozgegediktoker industrialnoiseimpactsonworkershealthandperformancebelowpermissiblelimits AT nidataselibol industrialnoiseimpactsonworkershealthandperformancebelowpermissiblelimits AT elifkuru industrialnoiseimpactsonworkershealthandperformancebelowpermissiblelimits AT zeynepgormezoglu industrialnoiseimpactsonworkershealthandperformancebelowpermissiblelimits AT aligorener industrialnoiseimpactsonworkershealthandperformancebelowpermissiblelimits AT keremtoker industrialnoiseimpactsonworkershealthandperformancebelowpermissiblelimits |