The Role of the Kurtosis Metric in Evaluating the Risk of Occupational Hearing Loss Associated with Complex Noise — Zhejiang Province, China, 2010−2019

What is already known about this topic? Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has been the second most common occupational disease in China. Noise energy is the main risk factor for occupational NIHL. Evidence shows the temporal structure of noise (as indicated by kurtosis metric) contribute to the development of NIHL. However, the role of the kurtosis metric in evaluating the risk of occupational NIHL associated with complex noise has been rarely reported. What is added by this report? Noise temporal structure (as indicated by kurtosis) is an important risk factor for occupational NIHL in addition to noise energy. Kurtosis can be used to quantify complex noise exposure. A combination of noise kurtosis and noise energy can effectively evaluate the risk of occupational hearing loss associated with complex noise. What are the implications for public health practice? Considering the effect of noise temporal structure on occupational NIHL, the existing international noise exposure standards (e.g. measurement method and noise exposure limit) for complex noise should be modified based on noise temporal structure. More effort is needed to reduce noise exposure, improve health screening, and monitor occupational NIHL.