Occupational noise induced hearing loss in the mining sector in South Africa: Perspectives from occupational health practitioners on how mineworkers are trained.
Nomfundo F Moroe
PMID 32242443WHAT IT FOUND
Occupational health practitioners said mineworkers know only superficially about noise hearing loss, and they were unclear who should train them.
Language, literacy and compensation pay-outs were seen as barriers to effective awareness.
Key findings
01Most practitioners said mineworkers have only superficial awareness of noise-induced hearing loss and do not fully grasp that it is irreversible.
02Practitioners were not clear how mineworkers are trained or who is responsible for that education.
03Language, literacy and compensation pay-outs were reported as barriers to raising awareness and training mineworkers.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Findings are occupational health practitioners' perspectives, not direct reports from mineworkers. The compensation pay-out point is described as speculation based on practitioner views. Snowball sampling through company websites and referrals may limit how broadly the views represent the sector. All interviews were in English, which may affect responses in a multilingual setting.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that current training works or that mineworkers knowingly choose hearing loss for compensation. The study reports occupational health practitioners' perspectives, and the compensation point is described as speculation.