Okolugbo, N. (2020). Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Glass Factory Workers in Delta State Nigeria: An 8 year follow up.. Egyptian Journal of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied Sciences, 21(2), 94-97. doi: 10.21608/ejentas.2020.24422.1178
Nekwu Emmanuel Okolugbo. "Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Glass Factory Workers in Delta State Nigeria: An 8 year follow up.". Egyptian Journal of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied Sciences, 21, 2, 2020, 94-97. doi: 10.21608/ejentas.2020.24422.1178
Okolugbo, N. (2020). 'Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Glass Factory Workers in Delta State Nigeria: An 8 year follow up.', Egyptian Journal of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied Sciences, 21(2), pp. 94-97. doi: 10.21608/ejentas.2020.24422.1178
Okolugbo, N. Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Glass Factory Workers in Delta State Nigeria: An 8 year follow up.. Egyptian Journal of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied Sciences, 2020; 21(2): 94-97. doi: 10.21608/ejentas.2020.24422.1178
Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Glass Factory Workers in Delta State Nigeria: An 8 year follow up.
Department of Surgery, Delta State University, Abraka
Abstract
Background: Noise induced hearing loss is a well known recognized hazard in factory workers. This is due to the fact that the level of noise in most factories exceed the WHO acceptable limits. This was an 8 year follow up study on glass factory workers to determine the effect of noise on their hearing status over that period. Materials and Methods: Audiometry was carried out on the factory workers using a diagnostic audiometer. This was repeated after 8 years. All the workers had their ears examined prior to Audiometry which was done in a quiet area in the factory clinic. Thereafter data was collected and analysed. Results: The subsequent screening showed that all the workers had increased threshold of hearing and the Prevalence rate of hearing impairment had increased from 9.1% to 40.8%. All workers admitted to intermittent use of personal protective devices (ear muffs/ear plugs) despite being counselled on their use 8 years earlier. Conclusion: Hearing Conservation measures should be instituted in factories. Pre-employment screening should be mandatory as well as annual audiological screening and the labour laws should be strengthened to ensure adequate compliance by industries.