A Statistics by the WHO indicate that there are about 466 million people across the world with disabling hearing loss. This number is likely to increase to 900 million by 2050 if no action is taken. The need of the hour is to lay emphasis on early identification and intervention for hearing loss. More than one billion young adults aged between 12 and 35 years are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to higher recreational noise levels. Around one-third of people over 65 years of age are affected by disabling hearing loss.
It is recommended that people who are continuously exposed to a noise level of greater than 85 dB should be provided hearing protection. Tips from Heart Care Foundation of India:
- Traffic flow around areas like schools and hospitals should be minimised as much as possible. Signboards displaying ‘Silence zone’, ‘No honking’ must be placed near them.
- Ban the use of horns with jarring sounds, motorbikes with damaged exhaust pipes, and noisy trucks.
- The use of loudspeakers in parties and discos, as well as public announcements systems should be checked and discouraged.
- Noise rules must be stringent and strictly enforced near such silence zones.
- Plant trees along roads and in residential areas is a good way to reduce noise pollution as they absorb sound.
