Coexposure to Solvents and Noise as a Risk Factor for Hearing Loss in Agricultural Workers

Objective This study addressed the relationship of hearing loss and coexposure to solvents and noise among farmers and ranchers in central United States. Methods The surveillance study included surveys to stratified random samples of operations in 2018 and 2020 (n = 34,146), requesting information on injuries, illnesses, exposures, and preventive measures. Responses (n = 7495) were analyzed using hierarchical multinomial logistic regression, adjusting for personal and work characteristics. Results Nearly 60% of respondents exposed to both solvents and noise reported hearing loss. The exposures increased the adjusted odds of moderate/severe hearing loss as follows: solvents alone, (odds ratio [OR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93-2.38), noise alone (OR, 4.42; 95% CI, 3.39-5.76), and coexposure to both noise and solvents (OR, 6.03; 95% CI, 4.67-7.78). Conclusions Solvent exposure, along with noise, should be considered in hearing conservation programs among farmers and ranchers.

Automated summary

This study examined the correlation between hearing loss and coexposure to solvents and noise among farmers and ranchers in central United States. The findings suggest that nearly 60% of individuals exposed to both solvents and noise experienced hearing loss. The study also found that coexposure to solvents and noise significantly increased the likelihood of moderate/severe hearing loss.