Hazard of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) among Operators of Music Recording/Retail Centres in Nigeria

We studied the level of music loudness to which operators of music recording/retail centre were exposed in order to determine their risk of work-related hearing loss. A survey of consenting operators of music recording centres on six main streets selected by simple random sampling at different locations of the town was carried out using a structured questionnaire. The sound level of the music from the music player speakers in each centre was measured using a sound level meter (Testo 815) duly calibrated with a sound level meter calibrator (Testo 0554.0009). Results were analyzed by simple descriptive statistics. The study involved 79 mainly male young adults aged 27.7 ± 6.8 years (SD). The measured sound levels in the centres ranged from 86-104dBA; with a mean of 96 ± 2.5dBA(SD). Exposure to this music loudness was for an average of 9 hours daily for an employment period averaging about 5 years. Thirty percent of the study population reduced music loudness by turning down the volume; 6.3% sat at six or more metres from the speakers; 10% used ear plugs occasionally and 7.6% had hearing assessment at some stage prior to the present study. The level of noise exposure of this population of young males is in excess of the threshold associated with irreversible hearing loss, and protection measures were less than optimal.