Noise induced hearing loss among industrial workers in Dar es Salaam

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. Method: A questionnaire was filled and had their hearing thresholds measured by a pure tone audiometer machine. 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. (East African Medical Journal: 2003 80(6): 298-302