Author/Authors :
Siddiqui, Imtiaz Ather Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center - Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head Neck Surgery, Pakistan , Siddiqui, Imtiaz Ather Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Pakistan , Nizami, Sohaib Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center - Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head Neck Surgery, Pakistan , Nizami, Sohaib Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Pakistan , Chandio, Rida Rouf Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center - Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head Neck Surgery, Pakistan , Chandio, Rida Rouf Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Pakistan , Nizami, Saad Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center - Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head Neck Surgery, Pakistan , Sikander, Nazish Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center - Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head Neck Surgery, Pakistan , Sikander, Nazish Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Pakistan , Ashraf, Sana Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center - Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head Neck Surgery, Pakistan , Ashraf, Sana Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Pakistan
Abstract :
Objective: To find out effect of road traffic noise on human beings in busy places of Karachi, working at these places and to compare its results with the previously done studies on this subject. Methods: This prospective epidemiological study was designed to evaluate effects of Noise induced hearing Loss due to road traffic at different places (Gurumander, Tibet Centre, Marry Weather Tower) of Karachi. A sample of 125 cases were randomly selected who had noise exposure of 90 dB or above of their surroundings for more than 6 months. The study was conducted from October 1st 2013 to January 1st 2013. Results: The minimum age was 18 years while maximum age was 47 years. The age group found most affected was from 23 years to 27 years. The males were 84% and females 16%. Subjects exposed to noise for more than 12 hours per day were 36.8%.Varying degree of hearing loss was evaluated in subjects where 17.6% were normal, 33.6% had mild hearing loss, 45.6% had moderate and 3.2% had moderately severe hearing loss. Traffic noise was found to bother 55.2% of subjects. Conclusion: Analysis of data indicates an enormous increase in noise levels as compared to previous studies. This study establishes that there exists a concrete direct link between NIHL and duration of exposure to noise above permissible levels. Traffic authorities should initiate measures to reduce the noise levels in the city particularly at more noisy places.
Keywords :
Noise , Traffic , Hearing impairment , Noise Pollution , Noise induced hearing loss , Tinnitus
