Noise Induced Hearing Loss among Khartoum International Airport Employees

Abstract

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss [NIHL] was incriminated to be
the second most common sensorineural hearing loss, after age-related
hearing loss.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate noise induced hearing loss
among employees of Khartoum international air port.
Material and Methods:
The study population included sixty adult male employees selected randomly from noisy sections as exposed group. Employees with any middle ear problems, those who received recently drugs that affect hearing, those with congenital hearing problems, and those who were exposed to excessive noise elsewhere in the past were excluded.
The control group consisted of forty employees selected randomly from non noisy working places matched for age and sex. Audiometric measurement was done to all participants and environmental noise level was measured by noise dosimeter and sound level meter.
Results: The sound level recorded in the airport was greater than the accepted level. The results showed high incidence of NIHL among employees (55%), especially those in most noisy areas and who were not wearing suitable hearing protection devices.
Discussion and Recommendations:
These findings indicated that sound level in the airport exceeded the accepted level and the incidence of NIHL was high .The employees should wear appropriate hearing protection devices, and the hearing conservation program should be implemented.

Keywords: sensorineural, environmental noise, industrial, occupational.

Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 3 (3) 2008: pp. 197-200