Effects of Exposure to Loud Noise on Hearing on People of Calabar,Cross River State,Nigeria

Abstract

The effects of noise on hearing have been assessed among residents of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, using subjective and objective measures. A 39-item questionnaire was used for the subjective measure. A sample size of 1000 persons in the high noise zones (noise level>80 dB(A)) was randomly selected and used as a study group while 1000 persons in the low noise zones (noise level<50dB(A)) were also randomly selected and used as the control group. Results on Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) was used to assess the hearing acuity of the respondents and to determine if there was any effect of exposure to loud noise on the hearing of those in the high noise zones. Using a statistical analysis software (SAS), a probability value of 0.0001 (<0.05) and a calculated chi-square (χ²) value of 82.2509 (tabulated χ²=5.22) were obtained. Thus implying that exposure to loud noise does affect hearing of residents in the high noise zones.

Keywords

Noise hearing acuity and pure tone audiometer

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