Occupational Hearing Loss Among Night Club Workers in Accra

ABSTRACT

Background: Employees of night clubs are at a greater risk for developing hearing loss because they could be exposed to dangerously high noise levels. Elevated noise levels may lead to adverse effects including elevated blood pressure and sleep interference. Communication in the workplace may also be affected, contributing to the occurrence of accidents. The most serious side effect of noise however is irreversible hearing impairment, and this occurs as a result of damage to the delicate hearing mechanism of the ear. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the level of noise that nightclub workers are exposed to and the prevalence of noise induced hearing loss among them. Methods: Fifty nightclub workers with at least one year continuous working experience, were sampled from five nightclubs in Accra. A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain socio-demographic data, workers’ knowledge about the signs and effects of occupational noise exposure, as well as hearing protection devices and their use. Data collection methods employed for the study included noise level measurements, otoscopy and pure tone audiometry. Data was analyzed using the SSPS, Microsoft Excel and R data analysis software. Results: Average noise levels in all the three clubs was 89.6 dBA. Only 8 (16%) of the respondents knew about hearing protection devices, but none of the fifty used hearing protection during a shift. There was significant association between the duration of employment and the degree of hearing loss at 4 kHz in both left and right ears. Comparison of thresholds at 2 kHz, 3 kHz and 4 kHz showed normal hearing in the frequencies of 2 and 3 kHz (in both ears), with elevated thresholds in the 4 kHz frequency, indicating mild hearing loss. xiv Conclusion: This suggests a significant association between the duration of exposure and the degree of hearing loss, and that nightclub workers were at risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss.