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Noise induced hearing loss among industrial workers in Dar es Salaam
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Muhimbili University, College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 65001 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Objectives:
To determine whether sound in the study areas was of sufficient intensity to cause hearing loss and if so whether those exposed have been affected and to determine whether workers/employees in the study areas were aware that sound can cause hearing loss and if so whether they knew that this can be prevented by ear protection.
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Setting:
Industrial area A and B randomly selected from among industries in Dar es Salaam.
Subjects:
One hundred and fifty workers from area A and fifty two employees from area B.
Results:
In both study areas the noise levels were above the safe limit of 85dB(A). In area A 28 workers and in area B eight employees had noise induced hearing loss. In area A 81.1% of the workers and in area B 85% of the employees knew that noise causes hearing loss. All workers/employees from both study areas knew that noise induced hearing loss could be prevented by some form of ear protection.
Conclusion:
Workers/Employees exposed to noise above 85dB(A) will eventually develop hearing loss. Workers/employees are aware of this hazard. There is therefore a need to educate those exposed on how best to protect their ears from the hazard and provide them with protective gear.
