Hearing function of gold miners with and without a history of tuberculosis treatment: a retrospective data review

South African hearing conservation programmes in the context of tele-audiology: A scoping review

“…Despite the implementation of HCPs, which are aimed at protecting workers with significant occupational noise exposures (Occupational Safety and Health Administration -OSHA, 2002), ONIHL remains a prevalent condition in the South African mining industry (Edwards, Dekker, Franz, Van Dyk, & Banyini, 2011;Kanji, Khoza-Shangase, & Ntlhakana, 2019;Khoza-Shangase, 2019b;Ntlhakana, Kanji, & Khoza-Shangase, 2015;Strauss, Swanepoel, Becker, Eloff, & Hall, 2012;Van Coller, 2015). In developed countries, the incidence of ONIHL has been documented to be decreasing or at least stabilising because of advances in technology that have seen these countries investing in quieter equipment and machinery in industries prone to excessive noise (Morata & Meinke, 2016;Safe Work Australia, 2010).…”

“…As far as ear and hearing health are concerned, this goal has not been realised despite the concerted efforts of the MHSC and the Chamber of Mines in South Africa (Booyens, 2013). The reality is, approximately 73.2% of miners in South Africa are exposed to excessive noise surpassing the legislated occupational exposure limit of 85 dBs, despite HCPs being implemented in the mining sector (Edwards et al, 2011;Strauss et al, 2012), with numerous evidence from this context indicating little, if any, success of HCPs (Edwards et al, 2011;Edwards, Milanzi, Khoza, Letsoalo, & Zungu, 2015;Edwards & Kritzinger, 2012;Kanji, Khoza-Shangase, & Ntlhakana, 2019;, 2019bMoroe, Khoza-Shangase, Kanji, & Ntlhakana, 2018;Ntlhakana et al, 2015;Strauss et al, 2012).…”

Burden of disease: A scoping review of HIV/AIDS and TB in occupational noise-induced hearing loss

“…Occupational health conditions in this context occur within this unique quadruple burden of diseases; hence, they cannot be seen and managed in a manner that is dissociated from this burden of disease. This is particularly true in occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL), which has numerous influences linked to the quadruple burden of disease (Khoza-Shangase 2019a). Freeman (n.d.) argues that it is necessary to prioritise health conditions in South Africa because of the reality that there are limited resources, including financial and human resources, to address all health challenges.…”

“…Evidence indicates that the influence of exposure to high levels of noise during their work life extends past their period of employment, as older people with presbycutic hearing loss have been found to suffer even more severe consequences if they have been exposed to high levels of noise during their working life (Mostaghaci et al, 2013;Ritzel & McCrary-Quarles, 2008). This is particularly established in developing countries (Chadambuka, Mususa, & Muteti, 2013;Miah, Rubya, & Kabir, 2014;Nandi & Dhatrak, 2008) where additional burden of disease complicates the presentation (Khoza-Shangase, 2019a).…”

“…Strauss and colleagues (2014) argue that over and above occupational noise exposure, within the South African context, these figures could be influenced by biological factors as well. These factors include smoking (Fabry et al, 2010), age, gender (Daniel, 2007), genetics (Lavinsky et al, 2016), ototoxic drugs and illnesses such as TB (Assuiti, Lanzoni, dos Santos, Erdmann, & Meirelles, 2013;Khoza-Shangase, 2019a). Recently, Khoza-Shangase (2019a) has found that goldminers with a history of TB treatment have worse hearing thresholds in high frequencies when compared to those without having TB history.…”