Hearing Assessment and Noise-related Attitudes among Traffic Policemen of Puducherry

Abstract

Background : To  determine  the  hearing  loss  and  evaluate  the  noise-related  attitudes  among  Traffic  policemen  of  Puducherry.

Methods : A  community  based  cross-sectional  observational  study  was  carried  out  involving  76  traffic  policemen  aged  20  to  60  years,  employed  in  and  around  Puducherry,  aimed  at  assessing  attitudes  related  to   noise  and  determine  hearing  loss  through  Otoacoustic Emission  test(OAE). Those  individuals  who  exhibited  OAE refer were then further evaluated  using  Pure  tone  audiometry.

Results:  Out  of  76  study  participants,  69%  were  OAE  pass  and  31%  were  OAE  refer.  Out  of   31%  OAE  refer,  the  prevalence  of  hearing  impairment  was  58.30%  for   mild,  29.10%  for  moderate  and  12.60%  for  severe  sensorineural  hearing  loss.  Around  73.7%  of  study  participants  reported  daily  noise  exposure  level  of  85-90  decibels.  Only  40%  of  study  participants  were  aware  of  hearing  protection  measures,  however  majority  expressed  concern  about  the  potential  impact  of  noise  on  their  health.

Conclusion :  This  study  revealed  that  traffic  policemen  are  at  constant  risk  of  noise-induced  hearing  loss  (NIHL).  Therefore,  regular  periodic  hearing  assessment  needs  to  be  done.