Influence of Noise Exposure Level on Hearing Impairment and Overall Well-Being of Factory Workers in Ogun State

Abstract

Excessive industrial noise in Nigerian factories endanger the hearing and overall health of industry workers. The usage of massive, loud machinery has raised worries about workers' physical and mental well-being, reducing productivity. Given the significance of worker well-being in maintaining optimal productivity levels, this study looked into the impact of noise exposure on hearing impairment and overall health among industrial workers in Ogun state. A descriptive survey design was used, using 200 randomly selected employees from eleven factories in the Ogun East Senatorial District. Data were gathered using three study tools: the Level of Noise Questionnaire (LNQ), the Influence of Noise Exposure Level on Hearing Impairment Questionnaire (NELHIQ), and the Effect of Noise on Health Questionnaire. The results were evaluated using mean scores, standard deviation, linear regression and multivariate analysis of variance. The results showed a moderate but significant positive association between noise exposure levels and hearing impairment (r =.585), implying that as noise exposure increases, so does hearing damage. Noise exposure significantly reduced worker well-being (β = -0.567, p <.001). However, demographic characteristics such as age and years of experience had no significant impact on noise-related well-being. The article concluded that prolonged exposure to industrial noise contributes to hearing impairment and other health problems such as headaches and speech interference. It recommends strict enforcement of noise control regulations, consistent use of protective devices, and regular hearing and health assessments to safeguard the health and productivity of factory workers.