Electronic Journal Technical Acoustics ISSN 1819-2408

U. E. Asuquo, M. U. Onuu, A. U. Asuquo

Effects of exposure to loud noise on the hearing of the residents of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

language: English

received 26.06.2009, published 16.09.2009

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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<50 dB(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 value of 82.2509 (tabulated chi-square value = 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, pure tone audiometer

14 pages, 0 figures

APPENDIXES

APPENDIXES I - IV (108 kb, zip, pdf)

Сitation: U. E. Asuquo, M. U. Onuu, A. U. Asuquo. Effects of exposure to loud noise on the hearing of the residents of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Electronic Journal “Technical Acoustics”, http://www.ejta.org, 2009, 10.

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		Ubon Asuquo is a Lecturer in Electronic and Computer Technology Unit, Department of Physics, University of Calabar, Nigeria. He obtained his B.sc (Hons) in Physics, M.Sc in Engineering Physics and Ph.D in Engineering Physics from the University of Calabar, Nigeria. His research interests are Acoustics, Electronics and Semiconductor Physics. е-mail: ubonasuquo(at)gmail.com, eubonobong(at)yahoo.com
		Michael U. Onuu received the HDIMT (Physics/Electronics) from the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, Enugu, Nigeria in 1982. He also holds an M. Phil. Degree in Solid-State Physics of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, RSUST, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria (1998) and Ph. D in Engineering Physics (Acoustics/Communication), University of Calabar, Nigeria in 1993. He is currently a Professor of Engineering Physics in the Department of Physics, University of Calabar, Nigeria. Professor M. U. Onuu has published profusely in Environmental and other aspects of Acoustics; Fracture Mechanics and Communications and has over 100 publications in reputable journals across the globe, in conference proceedings and as books. He is a Consulting Editor for Journal of Sound and Vibration, Journal of Acoustical Society of America. е-mail: michaelonuu(at)yahoo.com
		Affiong Asuquo is currently a Senior Registrar in the Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria. She received her MB.BCh from University of Calabar. She also has many professional qualifications in Anaesthesia including the West African Diploma in Anaesthesia. е-mail: affiongasuquo(at)yahoo.com