Objective To understand the current situation of hearing loss of noise-exposed workers in Yingde City and its possible affecting factors, and to provide basis for taking preventive measures.

Methods Totally 461 male noise-exposed workers in the cement industries in this city were investigated. The health questionnaire and occupational health examination of noised-exposed workers were carried out. The field survey was conducted on noise-exposed workplaces. The influencing factors of hearing loss were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.

Results Totally 194 workers (42%)were exposed to noise with sound level greater than 85 dB (A), and 343 workers (74.7%)did not wear protective equipment (earplugs) as required. The detection rate of hearing loss was 58.9%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the OR values of hearing loss among workers aged 26-35, 36-45 and over 46 years were 3.101, 10.625 and 24.000 respectively, compared with workers aged 16-25 years (P < 0.01). The OR of hearing loss was 2.853, 3.424 and 3.659 among the workers with the employment time of 6-10, 11-15 and over 16 years respectively, compared with workers with employment time of 1-5 years (P < 0.01). Compared with the workers engaged in wetting workplaces, the OR values of auditory loss of the patrolmen, mechanics, managers and electricians were 3.227, 4.840, 5.417 and 5.556 (P < 0.01), respectively. Compared with non-smokers and non-drinkers, the smokers and the drinkers had OR of 1.666 and 1.845, respectively (P < 0.01).

Conclusion The hearing loss of workers exposed to noise in cement industry was rather severe, which should be paid attention to.