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 2nd 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 2/3rd (68% ) of patients had history of exposure to loud noise.

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 2nd 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 2/3rd (68% ) of patients had history of exposure to loud noise.