Prevalence of noise induced hearing loss among traffic police personnel of Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
BACKGROUND
Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a major preventable occupational health hazard.


OBJECTIVE
To measure permanent threshold shift in traffic police personnel due to noise exposure and to examine whether it was associated with duration of noise exposure, years of work and risk factors.


METHODS
Cross sectional, descriptive study conducted at Dhulikhel hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital in 110 responding traffic police personnel. Detailed history and clinical examination of ear, impedence audiometry and pure tone audiometry was performed.


RESULTS
Mean age group was 29.82 years; 82(74.5%) were males and 28 (25.5%) were females. Mean duration of service is 11.86 years. Twenty six (23.6%) had tinnitus and 39(35.5%) had blocked sensation in ear. Sixty five (59.1%) worked between 10- 19 years. Alcohol and smoking shows positive impact on NIHL (p value =0.00). Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were 4.481 (1.925-10.432) and 6.578 (2.306- 18.764) respectively. Among 73(66.4%) noise induced hearing loss positive cases, bilateral involvement was seen in 45 (40.9%) and unilateral in 28(25.4 %) cases. Among unilateral cases most were left sided. Hearing threshold at 4 kHz increased according to age and duration of service.


CONCLUSIONS
Traffic police personnel are in constant risk of noise induced hearing loss. Screening for hearing loss is recommended for people exposed to noise.
Department of ENT HNS, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel Hospital - Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kavre, Nepal. shresthainku@gmail.com
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Shrestha
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Shrestha
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Pokharel
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Amatya
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Karki
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001299:Audiometry; D001336:Automobiles; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009624:Noise, Transportation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016495:Police / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors