Study on Auditory Status and Annoyance Level of Male Adolescents Residing in the Vicinity of an Airport

Abstract

AbstractNoise exposure is increasing with the emerging trend of urbanization and technological improvement, and is significantly contributed by transportation system. Occupational noise induced health problem among adults has also been reported and children-the future citizens, are not out of the effects of noise exposure. Aircraft noise was the most prevalent source; having significant influence on environment and human life and may affect the residents living around the vicinity of airport being regularly exposed to it. In this backdrop, the present study was conducted to assess the impact of noise, near a busy airport, if any, on auditory status and annoyance level of school going children residing and attending school in the vicinity of international airport of Kolkata. The study was conducted on 95 urban Bengalee males constituting the Exposed Group (EG). 87 adolescent males of comparable age, permanently residing in the relatively calm and quiet rural area were considered as the Control Group (CG). The sound pressure level was recorded in different part of the concerned institutions by using sound level meter. Audiometric test was carried out using the air conduction mode in pure tone. The degree of hearing impairment was calculated. The resting blood pressure and resting heart rate (HR) were recorded from individuals of both the groups. Individual subjective perception of noise annoyance (as reported) of both groups was assessed. Obtained data were tabulated and used for further statistical analyses with the chosen level of significance being 0.05 (P <0.05). The results indicate that, EG individuals had significant (P < 0.05) hearing loss at low and high frequency compared to CG individuals. It may be concluded that, school children residing in the vicinity of airport area are suffering more from bilateral hearing impairment with adverse impact on their individual resting heart rate and annoyance level.KeywordsAircraft noiseSchool childrenAuditory statusAnnoyance level