Table 1.
Descriptive statistics of covariates for cohort, at baseline. [SD=standard deviation; dBA=A-weighted decibels; dB=decibels]
| N | % | Mean | SD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||
| Total | 9220 | 100 | . | . |
| Male | 8231 | 89 | . | . |
| Age at baseline (years) | . | . | 44.2 | 10.5 |
| Tenure at baseline (years) | . | . | 17.1 | 12.4 |
| White | 8069 | 87 | . | . |
| Mean noise exposure (dBA) | . | . | . | . |
| <82 | 4415 | 48 | . | . |
| 82–84.99 | 2383 | 26 | . | . |
| 85–87.99 | 1797 | 19 | . | . |
| >88 | 625 | 7 | . | . |
| Hearing threshold level (average 0.5, 1,2, 3 kHz) (dB) | . | . | . | . |
| <10 | 4432 | 48 | . | . |
| 10–24.99 | 3828 | 42 | . | . |
| >25 | 960 | 10 | . | . |
| Heavy/very heavy physical demands | 1603 | 17 | . | . |
| Hearing protective device | ||||
| Plugs | 4420 | 48 | . | . |
| Canal caps | 549 | 6 | . | . |
| Muffs | 121 | 1 | . | . |
| Muff plus plugs | 867 | 9 | . | . |
| Unknown type | 3229 | 35 | . | . |
| None | 34 | 0.4 | . | . |