A retrospective study of noise induced hearing loss in a tertiary care hospital of Jharkhand - an alarming but ignorant truth

Abstract

Background: Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is hearing impairment resulting from exposure to loud sound. People may have a loss of perception of a narrow range of frequencies, impaired cognitive perception of sound, or other impairment, including sensitivity to sound or ringing in the ears. NIHL is 2^nd most common cause of hearing loss, next to presbycusis. Most of the population of developing countries is ignorant of the hazards of excessive noise exposure. 1) To describe the socio-demograpic profile of patients in the young age group (18-35 years) with noise induced hearing loss in Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi during June 2015- November 2016. 2) To study the major presenting complaints. 3) To categorize the patients on the basis of degree of hearing loss.

Methods: Data for study was collected from RIMS Out Patient Department (OPD) register during period June 2015 – November 2016 (18 months).Total sample size for this period was 50. Templates were generated in MS excel sheet and data analysis was done using SPSS software (version 20).  

Results: Study showed NIHL was more common in urban (82%) and male (72%) population. More than half (54%) patients presented with hearing loss and 24% with tinnitus. Most of the patients had bilateral mild hearing loss (70%).

Conclusions: NIHL is more common in urban males, mostly in age group (26-35 years). More than 2/3^rd (68% ) of patients had history of exposure to loud noise.