ArticleThe South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir Kommunikasieafwykings2024
Noise-induced hearing loss and hearing protection: Attitudes at a South African coal mine.
Article in The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir Kommunikasieafwykings, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 9 citations in OpenAlex.
- Hearing Protection Among Workers Exposed to Occupational Noise in the South African Aluminium Industry.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026Article
- Tertiary music students' hearing health behaviors: ignorance is not bliss.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Article
- Health effects of occupational noise exposure on heavy-duty equipment operators and exposed workers in a mining firm in Ghana.PloS one · 2025Article
- Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Africa: Gaps, Barriers, and Strategies for Effective Prevention.Noise & healthReview
- Kurtosis Assessment of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Caused by Complex Noise in Coal Mines.Noise & healthArticle
- Bridging the Knowledge-Behaviour Gap in Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Why Awareness Campaigns Are Not Enough.Noise & healthArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
1 author at 1 institution in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundNegative attitudes and beliefs are major contributing factors to the rising numbers of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) cases in coal mines both locally and internationally. International literature confirms limited knowledge surrounding employees' attitudes and beliefs regarding NIHL and hearing protection devices (HPDs), hence the need for the study.
objectivesTo ascertain the attitudes and beliefs about NIHL and HPD use among employees at a large scale underground coal mine in Mpumalanga.
methodA descriptive and exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire, developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) on Beliefs about Hearing Protection and Hearing Loss (BHPHL). Participants (n = 241) included employees from a coal mine in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
resultsOut of 241 completed surveys, this study found that 84% were aware of when to replace earmuffs; 95% believed wearing HPDs could prevent hearing loss in noisy environments; 83% felt their hearing was impacted by loud noise. Additionally, 86% mentioned discomfort from earmuff pressure; 95% emphasised HPD importance; and 95% used HPDs around loud sounds. Moreover, 98% knew how to properly wear earplugs, while lower education levels were linked to higher susceptibility to NIHL.
conclusionThe study identified positive attitudes towards NIHL and HPD use, but existing NIHL cases must be acknowledged. Organisations can use the findings to develop tailored hearing conservation programmes (HCP), including education, involving employees in protection decisions and promoting diligent HPD usage.Contribution: This study contributes to the limited literature on noise perceptions, NIHL, and HPD use in mining, emphasising the impact attitude has on HPD use and assessing the effect of miners NIHL knowledge on compliance. The findings, unique to coal mining, hold significance for enhancing hearing conservation and reducing NIHL.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.