title: Consequences of traffic noise in residents of Karachi, Pakistan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To find out effect of road traffic noise on human beings in busy places of Karachi, working at these places and to compare its results with the previously done studies on this subject.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective epidemiological study was designed to evaluate effects of Noise induced hearing Loss due to road traffic at different places (Gurumander, Tibet Centre, Marry Weather Tower) of Karachi. A sample of 125 cases were randomly selected who had noise exposure of 90 dB or above of their surroundings for more than 6 months. The study was conducted from October 1(st) 2013 to January 1(st) 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The minimum age was 18 years while maximum age was 47 years. The age group found most affected was from 23 years to 27 years. The males were 84% and females 16%. Subjects exposed to noise for more than 12 hours per day were 36.8%. Varying degree of hearing loss was evaluated in subjects where 17.6% were normal, 33.6% had mild hearing loss, 45.6% had moderate and 3.2% had moderately severe hearing loss. Traffic noise was found to bother 55.2% of subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Analysis of data indicates an enormous increase in noise levels as compared to previous studies. This study establishes that there exists a concrete direct link between NIHL and duration of exposure to noise above permissible levels. Traffic authorities should initiate measures to reduce the noise levels in the city particularly at more noisy places.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Imtiaz Ather Siddiqui, DLO, Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan and Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Imtiaz Ather
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.affiliation: Sohaib Nizami, Final Year MBBS student, Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan and Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sohaib
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nizami
authors.affiliation: Rida Rouf Chandio, Final Year MBBS student, Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan and Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rida Rouf
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Chandio
authors.affiliation: Saad Nizami, Final Year MBBS student, Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan and Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Saad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nizami
authors.affiliation: Nazish Sikander, Final Year MBBS student, Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan and Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Nazish
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sikander
authors.affiliation: Sana Ashraf, Final Year MBBS student, Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan and Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ashraf
keywords: Hearing impairment; Noise; Noise Pollution; Noise induced hearing loss; Tinnitus; Traffic