Occupational noise-induced hearing loss among workers in church and night-club in Kumasi, Ghana

Certain indoor in Ghana, such as nightclubs and churches are characterized by high levels of noise (Leq), which can be consider as a physical hazard. These suggest that workers in leisure and religious sites may be expose to potentially damaging noise levels from loudspeakers. However, there is a lack of information on the daily risk of exposure to occupational noise and potential hearing loss among workers in church and nightclub in Kumasi, Ghana. Here, we demonstrate that noise levels from loudspeaker have potential risk of hearing loss by measurement of daily noise dose percentage and noise level (Leq) during daily working hours using an ER-200DW8 personal dosimeter. The methodology involved physical examination of the ear. It was found that Nightclub workers were exposed to (noise level) Leq at 103.36 dBA and above whiles the church workers Leq were measured at 101.43 dBA and above respectively. About 33.9%, 18.2%, 4.5% and 43.9% of workers had mild, moderate, severe and normal hearing loss respectively. Due to the very low knowledge regarding hearing protection it recommended to use soundproof and hearing protection aids.