Tinnitus and occupational noise exposure among informal generator technicians in Nigeria: A pilot cohort study.

ABSTRACT: Occupational noise exposure is a major cause of auditory dysfunction worldwide, and generator technicians in Nigeria represent a vulnerable informal workforce with prolonged exposure to high decibel noise. We conducted a population‑based, cross‑sectional cohort study of 73 generator technicians (age range 14-57 years, mean 34.9 ± 10.2 years). Subjective, non‑pulsatile tinnitus was assessed via a structured questionnaire, audiometric thresholds were measured using pure tone audiometry (PTA), and cochlear function was evaluated with distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of tinnitus. Overall tinnitus prevalence was 45.2%, increasing across age groups from 33.3% in participants aged 14-24 years to 60% in those aged ≥5

SUBMITTER: Tsiga-Ahmed FI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12944749 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature