Risk Assessment of Noise-induced Hearing Loss Among Workers with Occupational Noise Exposure in University Hospitals

OBJECTIVE Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is preva-lent among supporting healthcare workers in a hospital setting. The risk assessment of ONIHL using a risk matrix could be beneficial, particularly in settings with limited resources; however, it has rarely been applied, and no previous studies have evaluated its accuracy compared to audiogram results. This study aimed to develop a system to evaluate the accuracy of a risk matrix score as a screening tool for the risk of ONIHL. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included hospital workers exposed to high workplace noise levels in Ramathibodi Hospital and Siriraj Hospital between 2016 and 2023. The noise levels were monitored in the workplaces, and workers’ annual audiograms were obtained and interpreted. The risk matrix score was developed by multiplying the numerical value of each domain in the risk matrix (probability - P, consequences - C, and exposure time - E), resulting in a score range of 1 to 125. The accuracy of the risk scores for predicting ONIHL was evaluated using the ROC curve. The optimal cut-off value for the risk scores was determined based on sensitivity and specificity, and the scores were c