Occupational hearing loss of market mill workers in the city of Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is an irreversible sensorineural hearing loss associated with exposure to high levels of excessive noise. Prevention measures are not well established in developing countries. This comparative cross sectional study aims to determine the prevalence of hearing loss in both a group of high risk workers and a control group and to assess their knowledge of the effects of noise on hearing health. A total of 101 market mill workers and 103 controls employed within markets in the city of Accra, Ghana, were evaluated using a structured questionnaire and pure tone audiometry. The questionnaire assessed factors including self-reported hearing loss, tinnitus, knowledge on the effects of noise on hearing health and the use of hearing protective devices. Pure tone audiometric testing was conducted for both mill workers and controls. Noise levels at the work premises of the mill workers and controls were measured. Symptoms of hearing loss were reported by 24 (23.76%) and 8 (7.7%) mill workers and controls respectively. Fifty-five (54.5%) and fifty-four (52.37%) mill workers and controls exhibited knowledge of the effects of noise on hearing health. Five (5.0%) mill workers used hearing protective devices. There was significant sensorineural hearing loss and the presence of a 4 kHz audiometric notch among mill workers when compared with controls for the mean thresholds of 2 kHz, 3 kHz and 4 kHz (P = 0. 001). The prevalence of hearing loss in the better hearing ears of the mill workers and controls was 24.8% and 4.8% respectively (P < 0.5). The prevalence of hearing loss, which may be characteristic of NIHL in the better hearing ears of the mill workers and controls was 24.8% and 4.8% respectively. The majority of mill workers did not use hearing protection.

The Relationship between Occupational Noise Exposure and Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) in Small-Scale Industries: A Case Study in the City of Damavand, Iran

“…Therefore, it is evident that more workers are being exposed to occupational harmful agents at their workplace. It is estimated that over 1,000 million people are employed in small-scale industries worldwide (2), many of whom come from developing countries where the state of occupational health and safety in small and medium-scale manufacturing industries is re-ally poor or not at the top of the health issues or policies (3,4).…”

Prevalence of Hearing Loss and Hearing Impairment among Small and Medium Enterprise Workers in Selangor, Malaysia

“…The destructive nature of excessive loud noise to high frequencies was very well studied. NIHL primarily affects the high frequencies region, such as 3 k, 4 k and 6 kHz and then spread to lower frequencies such as 0.5 k, 1 k and 2 kHz (Chen & Tsai 2003;Kitcher et al 2014;Maisarah 1993;Ologe et al 2006). Although at the moment we could not conclude that hearing loss experienced were NIHL, there is possibility that our respondents may suffer from NIHL since some of them do have some of the characteristics of NIHL.…”

Prevalence of Noise-induced Hearing Loss in Cotton Ginning Factories in Parakou, North Benin

“…In 2014, within the cotton ginning factories located in Parakou, noise level varied from 54 to 105.4 dB (A) among the workers investigated. In Ghana, Kitcher E. et al [14] reported in 2014 that condiment mill workers operating in markets were exposed to ambient noise levels ranging from 85.9 to 110.8 dB (A). Every year, 22 million workers are exposed to dangerous noise or sound levels in the United States [15].…”

“…In Africa, there are few data on the prevalence of NIHL at work place [18]. In Ghana, Kitcher et al [14] had found in 2014 twentyfour decimal eight percent (24.8%) of hearing loss among condiment mill workers operating in markets. In Nigeria, Ologe et al [19] had found in 2006 among 103 workers of a rolling mill exposed to noise levels ranging from 49 to 93 dBA; nearly 28.2% of people presented with sensorineural hearing loss in their best ear and 56.8% presented with sensorineural hearing loss in their worse ear.…”