Tunnel driving occupational environment and hearing loss in train drivers in China

Abstract

ObjectiveHearing loss caused by high levels of noise is a potential occupational health disorder among train drivers around the world. This study aims to investigate the relationship between tunnel driving occupational environment and hearing loss in train drivers, to provide some insights into helping reduce hearing loss among train drivers.MethodsThis study analysed cross-sectional data for 1214 train drivers who work at China Railway Guangzhou Group. Health examination was taken by physicians with professional licences, and audiometric testing was performed by health technicians in a sound-isolated room. T/R is defined as the ratio of the length of the tunnels to the length of the railway along drivers’ work routes. Different multivariate models and stratified models were established for sensitivity analysis. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the ORs of hearing loss associated with tunnel driving occupational environment.ResultsThe adjusted OR for high-frequency hearing loss in association with the highest T/R levels (30%–45%) versus the lowest T/R levels (<15%) was 3.72 (95% CI 1.43 to 9.69). The corresponding OR for speech-hearing loss was 1.75 (95% CI 0.38 to 8.06). The sensitivity analysis shows our results are suitable for various alternative models.ConclusionsThis study found that there was a significant association between tunnel driving occupational environment and hearing loss. Train drivers who work in a higher T/R environment have worse hearing loss.

Detectability of auditory warning signals in the ambient noise of Dutch train cabins

“…This is roughly in line with an earlier study that reported maximum noise exposure levels between 70 and 80 dBA for locomotive engineers in Norway (Lie et al 2013). Higher maximum noise levels were measured in Chinese trains, varying from 88 to 93 dBA (Peng et al 2019). The significant effect of train type and driving speed on the noise level confirmed the results of Kurze et al (2000) and Pronello (2003).…”

“…Additionally, the background noise at each workplace should be taken into account, including the level, spectrum, and type of the noise (Edworthy 1994;Gigu ere et al, 2008). A train cabin is a noisy working environment with A-weighted estimated noise levels between 70 and 93 dBA (Lie et al 2013;Peng et al 2019). Driving speed can influence the ambient noise level, since the overall exterior sound emission increases with driving speed and several of the internal noise sources depend on driving speed, such as the motor and cooling ventilator (Kurze, Diehl, and Weißenberger 2000;Pronello 2003).…”

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“…The fast transient pressure changes experienced in high-speed trains when passing through tunnels [10] are associated with aural discomfort [11], can attenuate sound transmission through the outer and middle ear [12] and have thus the potential to interfere with speech intelligibility. Repeated tunnel passing has even been linked to persistent hearing loss in train drivers [13], though the primary concern here was tunnel noise. In general, negative middle ear pressure is a common pathological dysfunction and has been intensely studied [14].…”

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