Effect of noise pollution on hearing of public transport drivers in Lahore city

ABSTRACT

To study the effects of noise pollution on hearing of public transport drivers of Lahore city. It was a cross-sectional, descriptive study carried out at ENT Department, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, from February 1st, 2003 to June 31st, 2003. One hundred drivers of public transport, driving in Lahore city for more than 8 - 10 years were included in the study. These included 25 autorickshaw drivers, 25 taxi car drivers, 25 wagon drivers, and 25 bus drivers. All subjects were questioned according to a Performa. After wards ENT examination was carried out, followed by Pure tone audiometery. The mean age of the drivers was 41.35 years. Most of them [51%] were driving from last 8 - 10 years. 65% of the subjects had noise induced hearing loss. [NIHL] 25% had normal hearing threshold and 10% had disabling hearing loss. Public transport drivers are exposed to excess noise on roads in Lahore and most of them are suffering from noise induced hearing loss