How activity type, time on the job and noise level on the job affect the hearing of the working population. Using Bayesian networks to predict the development of hypoacusia

This work yielded a considerable database that can be used to conduct a multitude of analyses intended to study and predict the hearing acuity of the working population under different scenarios. Specifically, in the case at hand, the Bayesian network obtained indicates that the three factors analyzed influence the hearing of the individuals, though to different extents. The least influential factor involves the sector of activity, followed by the noise level on the job, which varies noticeably in favor of better hearing for workers in jobs whose noise levels are rated as low. Finally, we deemed time on the job (which is also related to age), as the most influential factor as it exhibits the largest differences among its potential states, with workers whose time on the job is rated as low or medium exhibiting the best likelihood of having good hearing.