Self-assessment of noise-induced hearing impairment in traffic police and bus drivers: Questionnaire-based study

Background and Objectives: Noise-induced hearing loss is a major preventable occupational hazard. The ill effect of noise exposure is well evidenced by researchers. This study was done to study the self-assessment of hearing quality, annoyance evaluation, noise-related attitude and knowledge in traffic police, and bus drivers on Indian population in a growing city. Subjects and Methods: The study was done on 60 nonsmokers, male traffic police, and 80 long route bus drivers in the age range of 30-50 years. There were 15 questions related to self-assessment administered on these individuals. Results: The results revealed that in spite of regular noise exposure, around 60% individuals rated excellent hearing. Further, surprisingly all individuals rated no knowledge of any ear protection devices available. Nearly, 30-50% individuals related to poor quality of sleep due to noise exposure in both groups. The result also revealed strong association between the responses of most of the questions asked from bus drivers and traffic police. Conclusion: The negative consequences of noise exposure are well reflected as an outcome of this questionnaire-based study which shows these individuals are having signs of hearing-related problems. Hence, there is a need to educate these professionals about hazardous effect of noise exposure.