Beware of noise pollution

14th October Wednesday 2009: Everyday noise exposure over time has an impact upon our ability to hear and on the degree of hearing loss that develops. Constant exposure to loud noise can cause high frequency sensory neural hearing loss said Dr KK Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India.

Noise pollution causes direct mechanical damage to cochlear inner ear structure.

The international guidelines for noise exposure are defined – people who are continuously exposed to a noise level of greater than 85 dB must be under hearing conservation programme and should be provided hearing protection.

An exposure of 90 dB is allowed for 8 hours, 95 dB for 4 hours and 100 dB only for 2 hours. A shot blast of loud noise involving 120 to 155 dB can cause severe to profound sensorial hearing loss, pain and pain associated with loud noise. 

Hearing protection in the form of muffs or plugs is highly recommended anytime a person is exposed to loud noise.

The manufacture and sale of fire crackers generating a noise level of more than 125 dB at 4 meters distance from the point of bursting are prohibited. Most unregulated large bombs can produce a noise of more than 125 dB.