| dc.description.abstract | Abstract
Objectives Occupational noise exposure is a major cause of hearing loss worldwide. In order to inform preventative strategies, we need to further understand at a population level which workers are most at risk.
Methods We have developed a new questionnaire-based algorithm that evaluates an individual worker’s noise exposure. The questionnaire and supporting algorithms are embedded into the existing software platform, OccIDEAS. Based upon the tasks performed by a worker during their most recent working shift and using a library of task-based noise exposure levels, OccIDEAS estimates whether a worker has exceeded the full shift workplace noise exposure limit (LAeq,8h ≥85 dB). We evaluated the validity of the system in a sample of one hundred construction workers. Each worker wore a dosimeter for a full working shift and was then interviewed using the OccIDEAS software.
Results The area under the under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve was 0.81 [95% CI 0.72 - 0.90] indicating that the ability of OccIDEAS to identify construction workers with a LAeq,8h ≥ 85 dBA was excellent.
Conclusion This validated noise questionnaire may be useful in epidemiological studies and for workplace health and safety applications. | en_US |
