The pattern of hearing loss among workers at roadside automobile mechanic workshops in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Continuous exposure to noise levels above the acceptable thresholds of > 85 dB, remains an identifiable cause of sensorineural hearing loss. Workers at the roadside automobile mechanic workshops are vulnerable to developing noise induced hearing loss.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of hearing loss among workers at roadside automobile mechanic workshops in Benin City.

Participants, Materials and method: This study was carried out between August 2013 and July 2014. Four hundred and thirty-four (434) randomly selected participants were recruited in the study. Pure tone audiometry and tympanometry were done for each participant in a quiet room. Data obtained were collated on a proforma which was analyzed using SPSS 20.

Results: The prevalence of hearing loss was 358 (82.5%). The panel beaters had the highest prevalence of hearing loss 77 (92.8%), while the air conditioner repairers had the least six (46.2%).

Conclusion: Chronic exposure to noise at roadside automobile mechanic workshops was the likely cause of hearing loss among participants in this study.

Keywords: Pattern, Hearing loss, Automobile mechanic workers