Objective The correlation between the noise frequency spectrum characteristics and worker's occupational hearing loss in the furniture industry of a city was assessed in order to identify more effective engineering protection measures to reduce noise and hearing loss.

Methods From March to August 2024, 327 noise-exposed workers in thefurniture industry were selected using a convenience sampling method. Basic information of the workers was collected through questionnaires, the noise measurements were conducted in their workplaces to analyze noise frequency spectrum characteristics, and pure tone audiometry (air and bone conduction) was performed on the subjects. The logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the correlation between hearing loss and spectral characteristics of noise-exposed workers.

Results Among 327 noise-exposed workers in the furniture industry, 260 workers (79.51%) had hearing loss at any frequency, with a mean age of (40.72 ± 8.81) years. Logistic regression analysis showed that for every 1 dB (A)·year increase in cumulative noise exposure (CNE), the risk of hearing loss increased by 1.094 times (P < 0.05). Compared to female workers, the male workers were more likely to develop hearing loss (OR = 2.306, 95% CI: 1.125 to 4.726). Workers exposed to mid-to-high-frequency noise (OR = 3.043, 95%CI: 1.038 to 8.917) and high-frequency noise (OR = 2.765, 95% CI: 1.500 to 5.096) had a higher risk of hearing loss compared to those in the mid-frequency noise group.

Conclusions Hearing loss among workers in the furniture industry was closely related to the frequency spectrum characteristics of noise, with mid-to-high-frequency and high-frequency noise posing higher risks. Enterprises should take measures to reduce noise levels in workplaces, minimize the use of equipment resulting in mid-to-high or high-frequency noise, and pay timely attention to workers' use of personal protective equipment and their hearing status to reduce the incidence of occupational hearing loss.