Abstract:
Objective To assess the current status of hearing protector effectiveness among noise-exposed workers in automobile manufacturing enterprises and to identify factors influencing personal attenuation performance.
Methods From July to September 2022, three automobile manufacturing enterprises in Guangdong Province were selected as study sites. A questionnaire was administered to collect information on workers' demographic characteristics, noise exposure, and hearing protector use. Workplace noise exposure levels were measured for workers in noise-exposed positions. The baseline personal attenuation ratings (PARs) for workers wearing earplugs were tested using the 3M E-A-Rfit Dual-Ear Validation System. A multivariable logistic regression model was applied to analyze factors associated with hearing protector performance.
Results A total of 900 questionnaires were distributed, and 873 valid responses were obtained (effective response rate of 97.0%). Individual noise exposure levels ranged from 80 to 100 dB(A). The overall baseline PAR pass rate was 77.1%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that enterprise type, sex, and subjective perception of correct hearing-protector use were associated with baseline PAR pass rates. Male workers had higher PAR pass rates than female workers (OR = 1.906; 95%CI: 1.348 to 2.694). Compared with workers who believed they did not use hearing protectors correctly, those who self-identified correct use had higher PAR pass rates (OR = 1.530; 95%CI: 1.052 to 2.226).
Conclusions The protective effectiveness of hearing protectors among automobile manufacturing workers needs improvement. Automobile manufacturing enterprises should strengthen occupational health governance systems, promote the development of suitable products by manufacturers, provide customized hearing protection and fit-testing guidance, implement effective training and competency assessments, and adopt comprehensive noise-control measures at the source to better safeguard the health of noise-exposed workers.