@article{ref1,
title="Hearing difficulties among farmworkers in the México-US southwest border region",
journal="Journal of immigrant and minority health",
year="2024",
author="Coco, Laura and Sanchez, Gabriela D. and Campuzano, Gabriel A. and Keeney, Annie J. and Romine, James K.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="Migrant and seasonal farmworkers are a vulnerable population with a potentially high risk for hearing loss due to farm-related noise exposures. Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is permanent, and it is associated with an increased risk for injuries on the job, as well as communication difficulties, isolation, and depression. The México/US border region is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country, however, no known studies have explored hearing loss among farmworkers in this area. This pilot study was a first step toward measuring and addressing hearing loss and noise exposure among this region's farmworkers. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to estimate the prevalence of subjective hearing difficulties among Yuma County, Arizona farmworkers. Survey interviews took place during a late-night farmworker health fair from 2 am to 6 am to accommodate local farms' labor schedules. Multivariable regression adjusted for demographic and work covariates estimated subjective hearing loss prevalence ratios. Among 132 farmworker participants, 36% reported they have or might have hearing loss, and 62% reported no hearing loss. Subjective hearing loss prevalence was lower in farmworkers who report not working in noise compared to prevalence in farmworkers who work in noise [prevalence ratio, 0.44 (95% CI 0.23-0.82)]. This report contributes to understanding the perception of hearing-related health and occupational exposures among farmworkers in the México-US Southwest border region. The information from this line of research will inform appropriate safety measures known to lower the risk of experiencing occupational NIHL.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1557-1912",
doi="10.1007/s10903-024-01592-8",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10903-024-01592-8"
}