Investigation of Noise Induced Hearing Loss Among Power Loom Industry Workers in Tamil Nadu, India

Shankar Subramaniam; Abbas Ganesan; Naveenkumar Raju; Nithyaprakash Rajavel; Maheswari Chenniappan; Chander Prakash; Alokesh Pramanik; Animesh Kumar Basak

doi:10.1007/s12070-024-05025-8

Investigation of Noise Induced Hearing Loss Among Power Loom Industry Workers in Tamil Nadu, India

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Dec;76(6):5531-5541. doi: 10.1007/s12070-024-05025-8. Epub 2024 Sep 12.

Authors

Shankar Subramaniam^{1

2}, Abbas Ganesan³, Naveenkumar Raju⁴, Nithyaprakash Rajavel³, Maheswari Chenniappan³, Chander Prakash⁵, Alokesh Pramanik⁶, Animesh Kumar Basak⁷

Affiliations

¹ Nandha Engineering College, Erode, Tamilnadu 638052 India.
² ProMind Research Academy, Erode, Tamilnadu 638012 India.
³ Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Erode, Tamilnadu India.
⁴ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kongu Engineering College, Erode, Tamilnadu India.
⁵ University Centre for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab India.
⁶ School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, Bentley, WA Australia.
⁷ Adelaide Microscopy, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia.

PMID: 39559140
PMCID: PMC11569371 (available on 2025-12-01)
DOI: 10.1007/s12070-024-05025-8

Abstract

Noise-induced hearing loss remains a prevalent occupational concern across various industries. This study aimed to address several key objectives regarding noise exposure and hearing impairment among power loom workers in Tamil Nadu, India. The major objectives were to assess the levels of noise exposure in the power loom industry and to determine the prevalence of hearing loss among the workers. The minor objectives included identifying the specific factors associated with hearing loss and proposing measures to mitigate noise exposure. A cross-sectional study was carried out at a Power Loom Industry in the Erode District of Tamil Nadu between September and November 2023. A total of 123 workers from weaving sections were randomly selected to participate in face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Noise exposure levels were measured using a noise meter, while hearing loss was assessed using a pure tone audiometer. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with hearing loss. Among the workers, 88.5% were exposed to noise levels of ≥ 95 dB (A), and the prevalence of hearing loss was 71.6%. Factors positively associated with hearing loss included age between 31-50 years and over 50 years, lack of literacy, experiencing hearing difficulties or earaches, hypertension, and more than 15 years of service in the power loom industry. To mitigate noise exposure levels, there is a need for enhanced occupational hazard education and stricter enforcement of safety regulations. Regular audiometry tests should be implemented to monitor hearing threshold shifts. Employers should establish and enforce hearing conservation programs in workplaces where noise exposure exceeds or reaches 95 dB (A).

Keywords: Hearing loss; Noise exposure; Power loom; Pure tone audiometry; Textile industry.

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