Noise Induced Hearing Loss as a Major Occupational Hazard Among Workers Of Ilorin Coca-Cola Bottling Company

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of industrial noise on the workers of llorin Coca-Cola bottling company. lt used forty workers from the factory consisting of 20 production workers and 20 administrative workers. The subjects were randomly selected based on picking ballot paper of Yes and No. The instrument used for the study comprised of 20 structures questions in a likert format that was validated by experts in the Department of Guidance and Counseling of University of lbadan. Similarly sound level audiometer, Amplaid A 37 audiometer that was caliberated by ANSI standard was used as well as otoscope was used to sight the samples ear, measure their hearing acuity and sound levels in the workers environment. The data was analysed using tables, percentages, and mean hearing loss and t-test statistical tools. From the overall data collected, it was discovered that noise has a debilitating effect on the production workers in both the right and left ears and that the right ear is was more affected. The study further revealed that those who stayed longer than ten years in the company’s services have serious hearing problems, while the auditory perception abilities of those workers that use protective devices are better than those who do not use it. On the whole the effects of noise on the workers affected their personalities and their day-to-day communication and interaction. The awareness of the entire workers on the implication of the noise is nil in this study. The study recommended the provision of adequate protective devices of medical facilities for all the workers in the faculty while awareness campaign is advocated via hearing conservation programme and provision of audiologists in factories in order to curb the evil effect of noise-induced hearing loss.