Signes cliniques et audiométriques de l’exposition aux nuisances sonores dans une société d’égrenage du coton au Burkina Faso

Abstract

Summary: Cotton ginning exposes workers to several risk factors including noise pollution with a risk of irreversible deafness.
Objective: The aims of the study was to determine the clinical and audiometric signs of noise exposure among workers at a cotton ginning company in Burkina Faso.
Method : We carried out a descriptive and analytical cross study from February 3, 2020 to June 25, 2021. We sampled for convenience. Data were analyzed with Epi Data version 3.1. The noise intensity was measured using a PCE 428 sound level
meter and the hearing level assessed by liminal tone audiometry.
Results : A total of 109 workers were included in the study. This exclusively male population had an average age of 43,36 ± 7,41 years. The average sound level was 91,6dB at workstations. The functional signs were essentially stress (30,28%), nervousness (23,85%) and hearing loss (22,02%). The prevalence of hearing loss was 72,48%. There was no significant association between noise intensity, job tenure, and hearing loss. On the other hand, there was a statistical link between the use of PPE and the occurrence of hearing impairments (p = 0,008).
Conclusion : Noise pollution is a source of significant hearing loss in this society. The employer should take collective and individual preventive measures to protect the health of workers.