Impact of Subclinical Hearing Loss on Quality of Life Among Industrial Workers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Utilizing the SF-36 Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND

Occupational noise exposure is a leading cause of hearing impairment, which can affect both physical and psychological well-being. While most research focuses on advanced hearing loss, the impact of mild auditory deficits remains underexplored.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to investigate the relationship between varying degrees of hearing loss and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among industrial workers.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 345 full-time workers from three pharmaceutical factories in Attica, Greece, exposed to noise levels >85 dB, were categorized into three groups based on audiometric data: normal hearing (n = 195), mild hearing loss (n = 78), and evident hearing loss (n = 72). HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. Statistical analyses included the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman correlation test (significance set at p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Compared to workers with normal hearing, those with mild hearing loss scored significantly lower across all SF-36 dimensions (e.g., physical functioning: 91.5 vs. 95.8, p < 0.001; mental health: 84.8 vs. 94.3, p < 0.001). Even with preserved speech-frequency hearing, the mild group exhibited reduced emotional and social functioning. No significant QoL differences were observed by gender or education, except for bodily pain (p = 0.004). Age correlated negatively with physical functioning only in the group with evident hearing loss (r = -0.27, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Mild hearing loss can substantially impact the subjective QoL of workers, even in its early stages. Occupational health strategies should include psychosocial screening and counseling, as well as routine audiological monitoring.