[The assessment of the noise factor and the state of the auditory analyzer in workers in metal rolling production].

At main workplaces in F. "Stomana" (Pernik City) sorting and sheetrolling works, measurements and evaluation of the noise factor were carried out, and hearing sensitivity of workers was investigated in 229 subjects of mean age 36.1 +/- 9.8 years and mean occupational experience 9.7 +/- 7.4 years. Findings at workplaces indicated presence of noise of excessive equivalent levels and pulsing nature varying in degrees. Hearing thresholds for 4 and 6 kHz and average speaking frequency were elevated, and the proportion of subjects with hearing threshold above 30 dB for all frequencies tested was larger among the job groups of roller workers, furnace men, cutters, crane workers, markers, packers, quality control surveyors, and dispatchers as compared to subjects working at lower noise levels or exposed for shorter times to intense noise, notably, operators, fitters, welders, electrotechnicians. Regression analysis revealed the dynamics of change in hearing sensitivity to be more closely related to age than to duration of occupational experience.