Effects of noise on rickshaw drivers of Karachi city

ABSTRACT

Hearing loss is the most obvious threat posed by noise pollution. Road noise is a major contributor to perceived environmental noise. The objective of this study was to assess hearing loss in rickshaw drivers of Karachi due to rickshaw noise and to analyze the non-auditory effects of noise that is hypertension and mood changes... It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at Patel Paara, Karachi. Fifty one rickshaw drivers who had been driving for at least past 5 years and were below 50 yrs of age were selected. The mean age of rickshaw drivers was 35 years. Questionnaire was filled which was translated into Urdu. Blood pressure was checked and tuning fork tests and proper Audiometry was done in all study subjects Interviews of 51 rickshaw drivers were completed. All subjects were male. They were investigated regarding. sensorineural and conduction hearing loss, blood pressure, effect of duration of driving on hearing and tinnitus. Audiometry results clearly showed that hearing of most of the rickshaw drivers was affected. The hearing loss observed in most of the study subjects was sensorineural in type, while few of the subjects also showed conduction loss. Majority of the subjects was found to be hypertensive on examination. There was loss of hearing and tinnitus among rickshaw drivers that seems to be most probably a result of their noisy occupation. Noise was also found to be a risk factor for developing mild to moderate hypertension. Use of silencers by rickshaw drivers and proper legislation by the government can result in less hearing loss and less noise pollution in the envioronment