A hearing conservation program (HCP) has been reported to be effective in protecting the hearing of South African workers exposed to occupational noise. To reduce noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among these workers, a team effort involving a professional audiologist is required in the proper implementation of a hearing conservation program. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a hearing conservation program among farm workers in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A quantitative research approach using a cross-sectional survey design was used to assess program implementation among farm workers in Vhembe. District, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
The education about the effects of noise on hearing was received by a quarter (25%) of farm workers, which excluded a large proportion of the 75% of workers who were not aware of the hearing conservation program. The results show that only technical noise controls are available and that noise maps were not provided as part of the hearing conservation monitoring programme. The farm workers must be motivated to wear hearing protection to preserve their hearing. The company's management can arrange further training regarding the correct implementation of the hearing conservation programme. Covering noise zones will remind workers to put on their hearing protection before entering the noise area as part of monitoring the hearing conservation program.
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
- Introduction
- Background to the study
- Problem statement of the study
- Rationale of the study
- Significance of the study
- Purpose of the study
- Objectives
- Definitions of concepts
- Arrangements of chapters
The findings of this study may help Royal Macadamia management improve their hearing conservation program. The aim of the study was to assess the implementation of hearing preservation programs among farm workers in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province of South Africa. Assess the training and knowledge of employees received regarding the implementation of the hearing conservation program.
Assess the availability of audiological information related to the implementation of a hearing conservation program; For the purpose of this study, evaluation was the process of seeking information about hearing conservation program practices. According to this study, performance was the ability of the employer and farm workers to follow hearing conservation protocols to protect their hearing.
LITERATURE REVIEW
- Introduction
- Hearing Conservation Programme: An Overview
- Implementation of Hearing conservation programme internationally
- Hearing conservation in South Africa
- The practice of hearing conservation programme
- The use of HPDs
- Audiometric testing
- Monitoring of HCP
- Training
- Record keeping
- Employer's responsibility
- Noise Induced Hearing Loss
- The burden of Noise induced Hearing loss
- The consequences of Noise Induced Hearing loss
- Summary
There is a difference between the design of a hearing conservation program and what is actually achieved in the field. A follow-up audiometric testing program should demonstrate whether the employer's hearing conservation program is preventing hearing loss. We can conclude that audiometric testing is a prerequisite for the implementation of a hearing conservation program.
This type of hearing loss usually progresses rapidly in the first 10 to 15 years of exposure (Kirchner et al., 2012). Exposure to noise is the second leading cause of hearing loss after the aging process. In the year 2004-2005, rehabilitation costs directly associated with noise-induced hearing loss totaled nearly $43 million (Thorne, Ameratunga, Stewart, Reid, Williams, Purdy, and Wallaart, (2008).
For many in the early stages of noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus is the most prominent symptom (Sliwiska-kowalsica, 2012). Research worldwide suggests that a significant level of hearing loss is related to NIHL in the workplace.
METHODOLOGY
- Introduction
- Research design
- Study setting
- Study population
- Sampling
- Data Collection Instrument
- Validity of the Instrument
- Face validity
- Content validity
- Reliability
- Pre-Tesing
- Procedure for data collection
- Data Analysis
- Ethical consideration
- Permission to conduct the study
- Informed consent
- Confidentiality
- Anonymity and privacy
- Dissemination of study findings
- Summary
Section D- The availability of the audiological information related to the implementation of the hearing conservation program and. In this study, the face validity of the instrument was well ensured by tailoring the questions to the research objectives to cover the important aspects of the study. In this study, the researcher has ensured the content validity of the instrument by using relevant literature.
Pre-testing of the research instrument was carried out as a method to ensure reliability on a neighboring farm, Ratombo, located in Levubu. The results of the pretest scores helped the researcher make corrections to adapt the instrument. Data collection techniques give researchers the opportunity to gather relevant information about the people of the study and their environment where everything is happening.
Data collection took place within the time allocated by farm management to avoid reduction or interruption of production. The research assistant has been trained by the researcher in the purpose of the research and research ethics. The questionnaires were completed in the presence of the researcher and the research assistant, so that any questions could be clarified.
The participants were verbally informed about the purpose of the research and were assured that they could withdraw from the study at any time if they were no longer interested, and that only those who signed the consent form would participate in the research. An informed consent form with written information about the study and participants' rights was given to participants to sign before the study was conducted. A hard copy of the study findings will be submitted to the University of Venda Library and Royal Macadamia Management.
Face and content validity was established using the assistance of the higher degree committee of the University of Venda.
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
- Introduction
- SECTION A: Demographic profile of the study participants
- Working sections of the research participants
- SECTION B: The use of hearing protective devices by employees at royal Macademia.37
- Exposure to noise activities overlife
- SECTION C: Training received and knowledge of employees with regard to the
- SECTION D: Availability of Audiological information with regard to the implementation of
- SECTION E: Availability of systems to monitorand evaluate HCPP
- Summary
Most of the workers who participated in the study were in the processing unit (968.4%), and a significant number of workers were in the packaging unit (31.6%). This section of the results presentation illustrates the use of hearing aids by Royal Macadamia employees. One of the experimental questions in the questionnaire was to find out the reasons why some workers did not use hearing protection, since most of them were exposed to noise.
In figure 3 below half (50%) of the respondents indicated that they did not protect their ears during exposure because they did not feel comfortable in their ears when wearing them. One of the objectives of the study was to identify the training received and the knowledge of the employees regarding the implementation of the HCP. Table 4 below shows the results of the study on how the HCP training objectives are met at Royal Macadamia.
The study established that all the expected goals of hearing conservation training were not fully fulfilled and the respondents showed a lack of knowledge about them. The training on the effects of noise on hearing was received by a quarter percentage of 25%, but the large part of the population (75%) was also not informed about the objective. The chapter presented the results of the study and interpretation of the findings based on the analyzed data.
On the farm, workers spent most of their time in an environment with increased noise and work. It was also found that there was relatively little information about the need to protect workers from hearing loss in the workplace. An interesting finding was that many participants reported using hearing protection devices compared to those who did not, but less than 20% of workers used HPDs during times of high noise exposure.
It was also clear that the majority of participants had not received formal training on the need to protect their hearing in the workplace.
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
Introduction
Demographic Information
The use of hearing protective devices (HPD) by employees
The training and knowledge received by employees with regard to the implementation of
The availability of the audiological information with regard to the implementation of HCP47
Summary
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND LIMITATIONS
Introduction
Summary
Recommendations
Establishing a task force that can monitor the hearing conservation program in the work environment will help employers to have a smooth running of the hearing conservation program. Must work hand in hand with their employers to implement an effective hearing conservation program with a positive attitude. Knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes about hearing loss and hearing protection among racially/ethnically diverse young adults.
Evaluation of the impact of a hearing conservation program on noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among racially diverse children. Hearing loss due to occupational noise: Acoem Task Force on Occupational Hearing Loss.” Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 54, no. Prevalence of Hearing Impairment in Offinso Municipality (PhD Dissertation, Faculty of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology).
Effect of degree of hearing loss on auditory brainstem response predictions of behavioral thresholds. Noise-induced hearing loss and hearing conservation in the iron and steel industry in South Africa: original peer-reviewed research. Prevalence and rate of noise-induced hearing loss in South African gold miners: an original study.
The title of the study is: An Assessment of the Implementation of Hearing Conservation Program: A Case Study of Farm Workers in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The purpose of this study is to assess the implementation of a hearing conservation program among farm workers in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. SECTION C: THE TRAINING RECEIVED AND KNOWLEDGE OF EMPLOYEES REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM 8.
SECTION D: THE AVAILABILITY OF THE AUDIOLOGICAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HEARING PROTECTION PROGRAM.
Limitation of the study
CONSENT LETTER
I read the information about the goals and objectives of the proposed study and I was given the opportunity to ask questions and was given sufficient time to rethink the matter. I understand that participation in this research is completely voluntary and that I can withdraw from it at any time without giving any reason, and that my purpose will not affect me in any way. I am fully aware that the results of this study will be used for scientific purposes and may be published.
INFORMATION SHEET
The researcher will ensure that the respondents are not exposed to physical, psychological or emotional harm during the process of conducting a study. The respondents' positive participation in this study will enable the researcher to draw conclusions from the study and give recommendations to the farm and other relevant stakeholders. The results of this study will be used for scientific purposes and may be published.
QUESTIONAIRE
Attenuation – What it is and how to use it to choose the right hearing protector. Overcrowding Ringing in the ears Overdrainage Head injury Ear washing Dizziness Mumps Diabetes Loud music Chemotherapy Allergies Other: Specify. Behind the ear hearing aid In the ear hearing aid In-the-canal hearing aid.
13. Are all areas and equipment marked with caution or signs indicating noise protection measures to be taken.
