Table 2 Characteristics of noise-exposed workers (n = 396) and unexposed workers (n = 210) at two steel factories in Egypt, 2021

Job duration (years)

 < 10

277

69.9

159

75.7

0.240^a

 10– < 20

76

19.2

29

13.8

 ≥ 20

43

10.9

22

10.5

Smoking status

 Never been smoker

128

32.3

78

37.1

0.061^a

 Ex-smoker

37

9.3

29

13.8

 Current smoker

231

58.3

103

49.0

Ear-related medical condition

 No

362

91.4

194

92.4

0.681^b

 Yes

34

8.6

16

7.6

Tinnitus

 No

356

89.9

198

94.3

0.067^b

 Yes

40

10.1

12

5.7

Age (years)

 < 40

252

63.6

140

66.7

0.458^b

 ≥ 40

144

36.4

70

33.3

Mean ± SD (Min–Max)

38.41 ± 7.24 (25–62)

38.05 ± 8.88 (24–63)

0.594^c