[01] Hussein H. Y., Health Affairs Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE. [02] Al Faisal W., Health Affairs Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE. [03] Al Marashdah A. M., Health Centers Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE. [04] El Sawaf E. M., Health Centers Department, Primary Health Care Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE. [05] Wasfy A. S., Research and Statistics Department, Ministry of Health, Dubai, UAE.

Background: NIHL Noise induced hearing loss refers to the damaging effect of noise on hearing. (42) In the occupational setting, hearing impairment is generally defined as “a binaural pure-tone average for the frequencies. Objectives: To study the impact of personal habits on hearing loss among plan workers who are exposed to noisy environment at Aluminum industry. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in Dubai Aluminum Company Limited (DUBAL). All workers in DUBAL were targeted in the study. Sample size was 400 workers with 100% response rate. Stratified random sampling technique was used. Two groups were selected according to noise level exposure. Results: The risk of hearing loss among plant workers relative to administration workers increases from 1.71 in the age group <40 years to 3 times in the age group 40-<50 years and attained its maximum value at 50 years or more though it remained insignificant in all age groups. After adjusting for age, no significant higher risk could be found among plant workers in comparison with the administration group. The same was observed after adjusting for sex, marital status, and nationality. On the other hand after controlling for education, the risk of hearing loss was significantly higher among plant workers (three times that of administration workers) for only the university educated group but not for the school education level. the risk of hearing loss for plant workers in contrast to administration workers after adjusting for the effects of workers’ habits. After controlling for the effect of exposure to non-occupational loud sounds, the risk was significantly higher among plant workers in contrast to administration workers (about 13 times), for the exposed group but not risk was detected in the non-exposed group. Controlling for other variables. Conclusion: The study concluded that personal habits have significant risk and strong impact on hearing loss among plan workers at noisy environment in Aluminum industry. Health education program about the additional risk, administrative and technical measurements has to be strictly applied.

Personal Habits, Risks, Hearing Loss, Aluminum Industry

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