Acoustical environments in the textile industry facilities: A case study of Malatya Province, Türkiye

In the past few decades, the textile industry in Türkiye has been developing rapidly with raw materials, industrialization, and employment opportunities. The use of complex machine processes in mass production methods in the textile industry, creates working conditions with high noise levels are created. In this paper, indoor acoustic performance in the textile industry was discussed and the interpretation of the acoustic environment by the employees was analyzed. The textile industry facility in Malatya, Türkiye was examined as a case study. The employees' daily noise exposure levels (LEX,8h) and sound pressure levels were measured. Additionally, Weinstein's Noise Sensitivity Scale (WNSS) and noise annoyance structured questionnaire were applied to the employees. The highest noise exposure level was 92,8 dB, and the lowest noise exposure level was 86,9 dB. In conclusion, the statistical relationship between noise sensitivity and noise annoyance of employees with the demographic properties was examined and the noise annoyances were analyzed in detail. It was found that there was a significant and positive relationship between the noise sensitivity and noise annoyance of the employees (r = 0,523, p = 0,000 < 0,05). Suggestions have been developed to improve indoor acoustic performance and reduce noise in the textile industry.