E-ISSN 3026-930X
 

Original Research 


Noise Exposure and Its Effects on Productivity and Hearing Health of Construction Workers in Abuja, Nigeria

Abubakar Sadiq Abba Kyari, Timothy Iyendo.


Abstract
Construction workers in Nigeria are frequently exposed to hazardous noise levels, yet limited empirical evidence exists on how this affects their hearing health and productivity. This study investigates the dual impacts of noise exposure on construction workers in Abuja, Nigeria, addressing both auditory health outcomes and efficiency losses. A mixed-methods design was adopted: noise levels were objectively measured across six construction sites, structured questionnaires were distributed to 350 workers (326 valid responses, 93.1% response rate), and 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Results indicate that workers are routinely exposed to 80–88 dB, primarily from heavy machinery (87.1%) and power tools (77.6%), levels exceeding international thresholds. Regression analysis showed noise significantly reduced productivity (β = –0.420, p < 0.001), while education (β = 0.352, p = 0.014) and years of experience (β = 0.198, p = 0.029) were positive predictors. Interviews revealed fatigue, impaired concentration, and communication failures, alongside reports of ringing in the ears and temporary hearing loss. The study concludes that excessive occupational noise compromises both hearing health and construction efficiency. It recommends (i) stricter enforcement of personal hearing protection, (ii) engineering controls such as silencers and acoustic barriers, and (iii) continuous training and awareness programs to improve protective behaviours.

Key words: Occupational noise, productivity, hearing health, construction workers, AbujaOccupational noise, productivity, hearing health, construction workers, Abuja


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Kyari ASA, Iyendo T. Noise Exposure and Its Effects on Productivity and Hearing Health of Construction Workers in Abuja, Nigeria. NJEAS. 2025; 3(1): 68-76. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.276380


Web Style

Kyari ASA, Iyendo T. Noise Exposure and Its Effects on Productivity and Hearing Health of Construction Workers in Abuja, Nigeria. https://www.nilejeas.com/?mno=276380 [Access: December 30, 2025]. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.276380


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Kyari ASA, Iyendo T. Noise Exposure and Its Effects on Productivity and Hearing Health of Construction Workers in Abuja, Nigeria. NJEAS. 2025; 3(1): 68-76. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.276380



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Kyari ASA, Iyendo T. Noise Exposure and Its Effects on Productivity and Hearing Health of Construction Workers in Abuja, Nigeria. NJEAS. (2025), [cited December 30, 2025]; 3(1): 68-76. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.276380



Harvard Style

Kyari, A. S. A. & Iyendo, . T. (2025) Noise Exposure and Its Effects on Productivity and Hearing Health of Construction Workers in Abuja, Nigeria. NJEAS, 3 (1), 68-76. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.276380



Turabian Style

Kyari, Abubakar Sadiq Abba, and Timothy Iyendo. 2025. Noise Exposure and Its Effects on Productivity and Hearing Health of Construction Workers in Abuja, Nigeria. Nile Journal of Engineering and Applied Science, 3 (1), 68-76. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.276380



Chicago Style

Kyari, Abubakar Sadiq Abba, and Timothy Iyendo. "Noise Exposure and Its Effects on Productivity and Hearing Health of Construction Workers in Abuja, Nigeria." Nile Journal of Engineering and Applied Science 3 (2025), 68-76. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.276380



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Kyari, Abubakar Sadiq Abba, and Timothy Iyendo. "Noise Exposure and Its Effects on Productivity and Hearing Health of Construction Workers in Abuja, Nigeria." Nile Journal of Engineering and Applied Science 3.1 (2025), 68-76. Print. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.276380



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Kyari, A. S. A. & Iyendo, . T. (2025) Noise Exposure and Its Effects on Productivity and Hearing Health of Construction Workers in Abuja, Nigeria. Nile Journal of Engineering and Applied Science, 3 (1), 68-76. doi:10.5455/NJEAS.276380