Medicina Ocupacional y Asuntos de Salud

Abstracto

Call Centre-associated Occupational Hearing Loss in Africa: A Clarion Call Falling on Deaf Ears?

Ayugi J, Kimani F and Nyandusi M

Objectives: The call centre industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in Africa, and in the world employing millions of call operators. These employees are prone to various occupational hazards which cannot be ignored due to their irreversible consequences, such as noise-induced hearing loss which has morbidity and economic implications. This study sought to determine the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss among workers in one of the biggest call centres in East and Central Africa.
Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 1122 employees in a call centre were screened for hearing loss using pure tone audiometry. Their demographic information and clinical data was analysed using SPSS version 20.
Results: The prevalence of hearing loss among the subjects was 12%, with the peak majority (75.5%) seen in the 31-40 year olds. Most of the affected individuals had between 4 to 7 years of work experience.
Conclusion: Occupational hearing loss in call centres is an underestimated problem leading to devastating longterm irreversible disability, hence hearing conversation measures ought to be pursued at all costs.