조선소 현장 관리자의 청력손실, 청력보호, 청력보존 프로그램에 대한 이해에 관한 조사 연구

Understanding Hearing Loss, Hearing Protection and Hearing Conservation Program: A Survey for Shipyard Field Managers

Purpose: Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is the most common occupational disability. To decrease the number of ONIHL, more accurate information on worker noise exposure is necessary to protect workers from job-related noise in the workplace. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze the current knowledge on hearing loss, the attitudes toward hearing protection, and more specifically, shipyard managers knowledge of hearing conservation programs. Methods: A 23-item questionnaire was designed to target shipyard field managers. The survey included questions about their knowledge of the causes and symptoms of hearing loss and the attitudes toward hearing protection and hearing conservation programs. A total of 115 shipyard field managers responded to the questionnaire. Results: The current results demonstrated that most of the respondents did not have enough knowledge of the causes and symptoms of hearing loss. However, they were more aware of the need to have good ear protection. Only 6% of the respondents knew about the hearing preservation program. Conclusion: If reducing ONIHL effectively, a hearing conservation program should be available and effectively educate every shipyard employees about the hazards of noise and related hearing loss and how to protect their ears actively from shipyard noise.