Kitcher Emmanuel D, Ocansey Grace, Abaidoo Benjamin, Atule Alidu
Department of Surgery, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana.
Noise Health. 2014 May-Jun;16(70):183-8. doi: 10.4103/1463-1741.134919.
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.
噪声性听力损失（NIHL）是一种与暴露于高强度过度噪声相关的不可逆感音神经性听力损失。在发展中国家，预防措施尚未完善。这项比较性横断面研究旨在确定一组高危工人和一组对照组中听力损失的患病率，并评估他们对噪声对听力健康影响的认识。使用结构化问卷和纯音听力测试对加纳阿克拉市市场内的101名市场磨坊工人和103名对照人员进行了评估。问卷评估了包括自我报告的听力损失、耳鸣、关于噪声对听力健康影响的知识以及听力保护装置的使用等因素。对磨坊工人和对照人员均进行了纯音听力测试。测量了磨坊工人和对照人员工作场所的噪声水平。分别有24名（23.76%）磨坊工人和8名（7.7%）对照人员报告有听力损失症状。55名（54.5%）磨坊工人和54名（52.37%）对照人员了解噪声对听力健康的影响。5名（5.0%）磨坊工人使用了听力保护装置。与对照组相比，磨坊工人在2kHz、3kHz和4kHz的平均阈值处存在显著的感音神经性听力损失和4kHz听力测定切迹（P = 0.001）。磨坊工人和对照人员较好听力耳的听力损失患病率分别为24.8%和4.8%（P < 0.5）。磨坊工人和对照人员较好听力耳中可能具有噪声性听力损失特征的听力损失患病率分别为24.8%和4.8%。大多数磨坊工人未使用听力保护装置。
