Khalid A Ashrafi, Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan.
Effect of noise pollution on hearing.
Pak J Otolaryngol Jan ;21(2):33-4.

OBJECTIVE - To evaluate the effects of multioccupational noise pollution on human hearing. DESIGN: Non-Interventional, descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION: Department of Ear Nose & Throat, Fatima Hospital, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, between January 2001 to October 2003. PATIENTS & METHODS: The study included 495 subjects exposed to noise caused by; powered instruments during ear surgery, domestic electrical gadgets, use offire crackers and permanent workers of Karachi Shipyard Engineering Works (KSEW) and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC). Noise level was measured by amploid type noise meter. All the subjects were assessed by history, complete ear examination and careful audiometric evaluation. RESULTS: The recorded noise level of powered instruments and electrical gadgets and their duration of exposure in ear surgery and domestic use does not breach the health and safety guidelines. Excessively loud noise of fire cracker resulted in traumatic ear drum perforation in four cases. In 17% of permanent workers of KSEW & PNSC high frequency hearing loss specially at 4kHz was noted. CONCLUSION: The use of powered instruments in ear surgery and domestic electrical gadgets of daily use are safe. Use of fire crackers is dangerous. The noise level of KSEW & PNSC is producing deleterious effects on hearing in significant number of workers.

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