ISSN: 2329-6879

Occupational Medicine & Health Affairs
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  • Research Article   
  • Occup Med Health Aff 2019, Vol 6(4): 283
  • DOI: 10.4172/2329-6879.1000283

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

Ayugi J1, Kimani F2* and Nyandusi M3
1Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences-University of Nairobi, Kenya
2Department of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya
3The Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Safety House, Commercial Street, Nairobi, Kenya
*Corresponding Author : Kimani F, Department of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences-University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya, Tel: +254722465699, Email: drfredkimani@gmail.com

Received Date: Sep 22, 2018 / Accepted Date: Nov 15, 2018 / Published Date: Nov 25, 2018

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Occupational hearing loss; Noise-induced hearing loss; Call centre; Call operator; Occupational health; Headset

Citation: Ayugi J, Kimani F, Nyandusi M (2018) Call Centre-associated Occupational Hearing Loss in Africa: A Clarion Call Falling on Deaf Ears?. Occup Med Health Aff 6: 283. Doi: 10.4172/2329-6879.1000283

Copyright: © 2018 Ayugi J, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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