Noise Exposure and Noise Induced Hearing Loss Among the Traffic Police in Dhaka Metropolitan City

Authors

  • Abirvab Naha ENT-Specialist, Sheikh Fzilatunnessa Mujib Memorial KPJ Specialzed Hospital & Nursing College, Gazipur, Dhaka, Bangladesh. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7034-1797
  • Nasima Akhtar Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Pran Gopal Datta Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Mohammad Habibur Rahman Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Riashat Azim Majumder Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Mugda General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Md Hasanul Haque Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Ashim Kumar Biswas Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Md Khalid Mahmud Department of ENT-Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v46i3.52258

Keywords:

Noise exposure, Noise-induced hearing loss, Traffic police, Audiogram

Abstract

Background: Occupational noise is considered as a global problem with social and physiological impacts, causing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). High levels of occupational noise is a problem in all regions of the world. Road traffic produces high noise levels that can cause damage to the traffic police hearing. Hence, occupational hearing loss is a well-known outcome of noise exposure at work.

Objectives: The study aimed to measure the noise exposure level at different traffic points and determine the occurrence rate and severity of hearing loss among the traffic police of Dhaka Metropolitan City.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during 2017-2019 in 28 selected traffic points of Dhaka Metropolitan City under four traffic zone (East, West, North, and South) and among 100 traffic police who were working there and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Noise exposure level was measured from all selected traffic points with a digital sound level meter. Data were collected by face to face interview with a pretested semi-structured questionnaire followed by an otoscopic examination, tuning fork tests, and a baseline audiogram. To see the association, Chi-square tests or Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) tests were performed.

Results: This study revealed that the average noise exposure level at East, West, North, and South zones are respectively 125.6 dB, 112.9 dB, 121.3 dB, and 119.4 dB. At every point, the noise exposure level was more than the acceptable limit set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In the audiometry report of 100 traffic police, 64% had sensorineural hearing loss. Of them 85% had mild, 9% had moderate and 6% with severe hearing loss. Notch in 4 kHz in an audiogram was present in the right ear of 46% of respondents and left ear of 52% respondents. It was observed that hearing loss was significantly associated with increasing age and job duration.

Conclusion: Traffic police of Dhaka Metropolitan City is in constant risk of noise induced hearing loss as the ambient noise of this city is very high. Regular assessment and hearing screening is recommended for all the traffic police who are exposed to noise.

Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2020; 46(3): 219-227

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Published

2021-03-03

How to Cite

Naha, A., Akhtar, N., Datta, P. G., Rahman, M. H., Majumder, R. A., Haque, M. H., Biswas, A. K., & Mahmud, M. K. (2021). Noise Exposure and Noise Induced Hearing Loss Among the Traffic Police in Dhaka Metropolitan City. Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin, 46(3), 219–227. https://doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v46i3.52258

Issue

Vol. 46 No. 3 (2020)

Section

Research Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2020 Naha A, Akhtar N, Datta PG, Rahman MH, Majumder RA, Haque MH, Biswas AK, Mahmud MK

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