scholarly journals Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss in the Mining Sector in South Africa: How Are Mineworkers Trained—Perspective from Occupational Health Personnels

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nomfundo Moroe
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Occupational Noise ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training

The aim of this study was to explore perspectives of occupation health personnels (OHPs) regarding education and training of mineworkers on occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) and its impact on mineworkers’ hearing. Qualitative, in-depth telephonic and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 16 OHPs comprising representatives from the state, employer and labour as well as audiologists and occupational health hygienists.  Purposive and snowball sampling were utilized to recruit participants. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Findings revealed that mineworkers have a superficial awareness and knowledge of the impact of noise on their hearing and health. Moreover, OHPs are not knowledgeable on how mineworkers are educated on ONIHL and its latent consequences. Furthermore, language, low levels of education and literacy as well as the financial constraints were factors that had a negative impact on raising awareness and training mineworkers. There is a need to prioritize health literacy among mineworkers. Additionally, audiologists need to play an active role in educating mineworkers about the effects of excessive exposure to noise. There is a need to take into account literacy levels and language barriers in planning training material for mineworkers.

scholarly journals Occupational noise induced hearing loss in the mining sector in South Africa: Perspectives from occupational health practitioners on how mineworkers are trained

2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nomfundo F. Moroe
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Occupational Noise ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training

The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of occupational health practitioners (OHPs) regarding education and training of mineworkers on occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) and its impact on mineworkers’ health. Qualitative, in-depth telephonic and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 16 OHPs. Purposive and snowball sampling was utilized to recruit participants. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Three themes emerged from the data: seeing is believing, not my department, barriers and facilitators to raising awareness (with two subthemes -blame it on the language and level of education, and compensation pay-outs). Superficially, OHPs believe that mineworkers are aware of the impact of noise health, however, the OHPs are not knowledgeable on how the mineworkers are educated on ONIHL and its latent consequences. Furthermore, language, low levels of education and literacy, as well as financial constraints are factors found to affect education and training of the mineworkers about the risks of ONIHL. If the mining industry is committed in eliminating ONIHL, they should prioritize health literacy, and mines need to have an effective awareness raising plan in place at every mine. This plan should consider diversity of the workforce, including linguistic as well as educational level diversity.

scholarly journals Risk versus benefit: Should not audiologists assess this in the context of occupational noise-induced hearing loss in the mining industry?

2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katijah Khoza-Shangase ◽  
Nomfundo F. Moroe
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
South African ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Regulatory Body ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Occupational Noise ◽  
The South ◽  
Middle Income

Background: Hearing conservation programmes (HCPs) are an important aspect of occupational health efforts to prevent occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL). In low- and middle income (LAMI) countries, where the incidence of ONIHL is significant, it is important to deliberate on the risk or benefit of HCPs.Objectives: This article is an attempt at highlighting important strategic indicators as well as important variables that the occupational health and audiology community need to consider to plan efficacious HCPs within the South African mining context.Method: The current arguments are presented in the form of a viewpoint publication.Results: Occupational audiology vigilance in the form of engagement with HCPs in the mining industry has been limited within the South African research and clinical communities. When occupational audiology occurs, it is conducted by mid-level workers and paraprofessionals; and it is non-systematic, non-comprehensive and non-strategic. This is compounded by the current, unclear externally enforced accountability by several bodies, including the mining industry regulating body, with silent and/or peripheral regulation by the Health Professions Council of South Africa and the Department of Health. The lack of involvement of audiologists in the risk or benefit evaluation of HCPs during their development and monitoring process, as well as their limited involvement in the development of policies and regulations concerning ear health and safety within this population are probable reasons for this.Conclusions: Increased functioning of the regulatory body towards making the employers accountable for the elimination of ONIHL, and a more central and prominent role for audiologists in HCPs, are strongly argued for.

Noise Exposure and Hearing Disorders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Byrne ◽  
Thais C. Morata
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Disorders ◽  
Industrial Noise ◽  
Significant Impairment ◽  
Protection Devices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Occupational Hearing Loss

Exposure to industrial noise and the resulting effect of occupational hearing loss is a common problem in nearly all industries. This chapter describes industrial noise exposure, its assessment, and hearing disorders that result from overexposure to noise. Beginning with the properties of sound, noise-induced hearing loss and other effects of noise exposure are discussed. The impact of hearing disorders and the influence of other factors on hearing loss are described. Typically, noise-induced hearing loss develops slowly, and usually goes unnoticed until a significant impairment has occurred. Fortunately, occupational hearing loss is nearly always preventable. Therefore, this chapter gives particular attention to recommendations for measures to prevent occupational hearing loss such as engineering noise controls and hearing protection devices.

Comparison of Tinnitus Characteristics and the Impact on Patients with Presbycusis and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. P199-P200
Author(s):  
Leticia S. Rosito ◽  
Celso Dalligna ◽  
Daniela P. Dalligna ◽  
Konrado M. Deutsch ◽  
Giuliana Beduschi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Prevalence of Occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) among industrial workers in Bhutan.

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Pelden Wangchuk ◽  
Phuntsho Dendup
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Occupational Noise ◽  
Industrial Workers ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Hearing Sensitivity ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Strict Enforcement ◽  
Hearing Assessment

Introduction: Exposure to any type of noise has a potential risk. Higher the level of noise and longer duration of exposure, the more the risk for the hearing sensitivity and health as a whole. The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL) among the industrial workers in Bhutan and to ascertain high risk establishment and vulnerable occupations. Methods: The hearing assessment was conducted among 1638 workers considering different types of industries and occupations to ascertain the prevalence of occupational noise induced hearing loss and vulnerable group amongdifferent industries and occupations. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were performed to test the significance of ONIHL among the various independent variables. Results: The study found that the prevalence of ONIHL stands at 27.9% among industrial workers in Bhutan. 42.45% of candidates who had ONIHL reported with tinnitus in either or both ears. This study founda significant association between the exposure duration and the severity of ONIHL among the industrial workers. Considering the type of industry, wood based industry, hydro services, cement and polymer were found to have a higher prevalence of ONIHL and similarly, higher prevalence of ONIHL were found among occupations such as blaster, chipper, carpenters, dryer (knife grinder) and crusher operators. Conclusions: This study conduces that prevalence of ONIHL among industrial workers is found to be at the higher side and some of the occupations and industries impose higher risk. The study suggests that there is need for intervention such as strict enforcement of the permissible exposure limit, monitor and evaluate hearing conservation programs, and providing advice and recommendation to address such issues by the relevant agencies and industries

scholarly journals Videoconferencing Psychotherapy: a literature review of the perspective of relationships for patients and psychologists (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Cataldo ◽  
Shanton Chang ◽  
Antonette Mendoza ◽  
George Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Therapeutic Relationship ◽  
Active Role ◽  
High Demand ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Patient Relationships ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, people are being encouraged to maintain social distance. Technology is helping people to reschedule meetings from “face-to-face” interactions to remote videoconferencing. Psychologists are in high demand, due to an increase in stress as a result of COVID. Many seek to both keep treating their current patients, and welcome new ones, given the current high demand for their services. Videoconferencing provides an opportunity to do this. However, shifting treatment from face-to-face to the videoconferencing is not simple as both the psychologist and the patient miss the in-person information and cues, such as body language provides. OBJECTIVE A new theoretical framework is proposed to guide the design of future studies on the impact of the computer as a mediator of psychologist-patient relationships, and the influence of videoconferencing on the whole relationship process. METHODS A literature review has been conducted, screening studies focusing on communication, and the key concepts of therapeutic relationship and therapeutic alliance. RESULTS Studies report that patients are generally satisfied with videoconference therapy in terms of the relationship with their therapists and the establishment of the “therapeutic alliance”. However, psychologists report difficulties in establishing same quality of therapeutic relationship and therapeutic alliance. The analysed studies lead us to interpret data under a different perspective. A new model of relationship is proposed, along with further hypotheses. CONCLUSIONS It is important to consider the computer as having an active role in psychologists and patients’ relationships. CLINICALTRIAL

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