The impact of noise-induced hearing loss on individual job performance: exploring the role of aggression and work-related quality of life.

Background: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) may have a significant effect on individual job performance (IJP). These effects may exert through aggression and work-related quality of life (WRQoL). Hence, the present study was conducted to investigate the modeling of the impact of NIHL on IJP by exploring the role of aggression and WRQoL.

Methods: In 2022, a comprehensive study was carried out on 335 industrial workers in Kaveh Industrial Town, Saveh, Iran. The study encompassed a range of assessments, including a questionnaire-based survey that included the IJP questionnaire, WRQoL questionnaire, and Aggression questionnaire, as well as a pure tone audiometry test. The data gathered from these assessments were analyzed using structural equation modeling, providing a robust framework for understanding the complex relationships between variables.

Results: Based on Spearman correlation test there is a negative correlation between NIHL_total and WRQoL and IJP, with coefficients of -0.459 (P-value < 0.01) and - 0.575 (P-value < 0.01), respectively. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between NIHL_total and aggression, with a coefficient of 0.374 (P-value < 0.05). The direct effect coefficients for the impact of NIHL_total on WRQoL, aggression, and IJP were - 0.412, 0.453, and - 0.128, respectively. Moreover, the indirect effect coefficients of NIHL_total on the IJP through aggression, through WRQoL, and through both aggression and WRQoL were - 0.057, -0.275, and - 0.078, respectively.

Conclusion: Overall, the results indicate that NIHL had a negative and positive association with WRQoL and aggression among workers, respectively. Furthermore, IJP was found to be directly and indirectly influenced by NIHL, through reduced WRQoL and aggressive behavior as negative consequences of NIHL.