Occupational noise induced hearing loss among local industrial population in Kashmir: a lifestyle study

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The purpose of this observational study was to evaluate the incidence of occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) among the local industrial population of Kashmir who are involved in occupations exposed to noise.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This prospective observational study was conducted in the department of ENT&HNS of government medical college Srinagar and SMHS Hospital. Total of 508 patients were screened and 158 patients were found have ONIHL patients were included in this study. The study population was evaluated for any significant history and were subjected thorough ENT assessment which included history, clinical examination, Otoscopic examination and then a pure tone audiometry. All these patients were further evaluated with a questionnaire in addition to clinical examination. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Around 31% (158) participants were found to have occupational noise induced hearing loss. The highest incidence of hearing loss was found in 50-59 years age group, which was 0.61. The industrial distribution of occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) in the screened population in the community was found maximum among Bandsaws workers with ONIHL, contributing 30.37% to the total. ONIHL was found to be most common (64.28%) in individuals exposed to loud noise for maximum duration of time (>20 yrs), while it was least common (20.34%) in individuals exposed to loud noise for least duration of time (<5 yrs).</p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Our study concluded that people who are exposed to noise more than 90db for more than 8 hours day working in local industries of Kashmir have high frequency sensorineural hearing loss.