ABSTRACT
Background: Hearing Sensitivity is the commonest form of hearing. Occupational
hearing loss has received little or no attention in most industries and has left many
employees with hearing loss of varying degrees after retirement. The navy has not been
spared in this area as some of its personnel exposed to varying levels of noise. This
study was carried out to determine the prevalence of hearing loss and to investigate the
risk factors associated with hearing loss among naval personnel of the Ghana Armed
Forces at the Secondi Naval Base.
Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed in this study. A
random sample of 153 naval personnel from the Sekondi naval base took part in this
study. Both air and bone conduction of the ear were measured using an audiometer and
additional data collect using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis in the form of
descriptive statistics and inferential statistical tests, specifically Independent t-test and
the Chi-square statistic were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (V.
22.0).
Results: The prevalence of hearing loss among the naval personnel was 28.1%.
Working in the engine room, ageing, diabetes and hypertension were the main risk
factors associated with hearing loss. Other less significant risk factors were non-use
and poor use of ear protectors, and exposure to loud music.
Conclusion: The prevalence of hearing loss among naval personnel remains a source of
concern. The Ghana navy command and the health directorate of the Ghana Armed
Forces should carry out regular ear and hearing screening of their naval personnel for
early identification, treatment and prevention of hearing loss among the personnel.
Earmuffs and earplugs should also be provided for the naval personnel with proper
instruction on its use.
Eastern Network, L (2021). Hearing Loss Among Sailors: A Study At The Western Naval Command, Sekondi. Afribary.com: Retrieved April 14, 2021, from https://afribary.com/works/hearing-loss-among-sailors-a-study-at-the-western-naval-command-sekondi
Library, Eastern Network. "Hearing Loss Among Sailors: A Study At The Western Naval Command, Sekondi" Afribary.com. Afribary.com, 04 Apr. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/hearing-loss-among-sailors-a-study-at-the-western-naval-command-sekondi . Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.
Library, Eastern Network. "Hearing Loss Among Sailors: A Study At The Western Naval Command, Sekondi". Afribary.com, Afribary.com, 04 Apr. 2021. Web. 14 Apr. 2021. < https://afribary.com/works/hearing-loss-among-sailors-a-study-at-the-western-naval-command-sekondi >.
Library, Eastern Network. "Hearing Loss Among Sailors: A Study At The Western Naval Command, Sekondi" Afribary.com (2021). Accessed April 14, 2021. https://afribary.com/works/hearing-loss-among-sailors-a-study-at-the-western-naval-command-sekondi