[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: Exposure to intense noise damages the human hearing process, while Noise-induced hearing loss NIHL is the most important adverse health effect and is well documented. Objective: To study the effect of risky occupational history and exposure to noise intensity on hearing loss among plan workers at aluminum industry. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in Dubai Aluminum Company Limited (DUBAL) which owns and operates one of the world's largest aluminum smelters. The study sample was collected from workers in DUBAL Company. All workers in DUBAL were targeted in the study. The sample size was calculated by using computer program EPI-Info version “6.04”. 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: Though the risk difference associated with each variable is not statistically significant, yet there is an apparent higher risk of hearing loss associated with longer duration of work (OR = 3.60 for 15 years or more in work), having 10 hours or more overtime per week (OR = 1.70), past exposure to noise (OR = 1.44), and history of wearing ear muffs at work (OR = 2.73). stepwise logistic regression revealed only two factors as the most significant predictors of hearing loss namely age of worker and noise level. Each one year increase in age is associated by increasing risk of hearing loss by 6%. Also higher risk of hearing loss was associated by increasing noise level which attained significance at the high level noise where the risk is three times of that working in the administration section. Conclusion: Occupational history along with exposure to noise intensity recognized as significant risk factors for hearing loss among plan workers at work environment. Adopting interventional strategies to targeting risky occupational history and managing noise exposure must be adopted as decisive preventive and control tools for risky group workers.

Occupational History, Noise Exposure, Aluminum Industry, Hearing Loss

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