The ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialists in Pune have reported a sharp rise in patients suffering from ear-related problems caused by loud noise during this year’s Ganeshotsav celebrations in Pune, The Times of India reported.
While the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) have mentioned that average noise levels were slightly lower compared to the previous year, doctors across the city are warning that the health impact of noise pollution is clearly visible and worrying.
Ruby Hall Clinic, one of the city hospitals, has already treated around 10 to 15 new patients in the past week. These patients complained of issues like reduced hearing ability, constant ringing sounds in the ears (tinnitus), disturbed sleep, and overall discomfort.
"Pune is seeing a significant increase in health issues directly tied to noise pollution over the past few years. The impact goes beyond temporary annoyance, as prolonged exposure can lead to permanent damage, including hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, irritability, concentration problems, and severe sleep disruptions,” TOI quoted Dr Murarji Ghadge, a senior ENT surgeon and sleep disorder expert as saying.
Doctors say the number of patients is likely to rise in the coming weeks, as the impact of noise on hearing often becomes evident gradually.
Dr Smitha Chouta, ENT consultant at Surya Hospital, Wakad, pointed out that the trend of noise-related problems actually started with the loud Dahi Handi celebrations and then continued during Ganeshotsav, when some areas of the city experienced extremely high sound levels.
“Patients are reporting tinnitus, ear pain, and partial hearing loss. In some cases, there is a risk of permanent damage,” she said. She added that compared to last year, the number of such cases remains high, with most patients having participated in or been close to processions with loud DJ music.
She recently treated two patients who came in after being exposed to high noise levels and complained of ringing in the ears and distorted hearing, as per the TOI report.
According to the doctors, prolonged exposure to loud music from DJs can significantly impact hearing health, potentially causing hearing damage. If left untreated within 48 hours of exposure, this could have far-reaching complications, they warned.
Dr Ajinkya Kelkar, an ENT specialist practicing on Jangali Maharaj Road, shared a recent case of a patient who suffered moderate to severe hearing loss after passing by a pandal where DJ music was playing at an extremely high volume.
"I saw a patient recently who was exposed to extremely loud music from a DJ system while passing by a pandal, resulting in moderate to severe hearing loss due to inner ear nerve damage. If such cases aren't treated promptly, particularly within the critical 48-hour window, they can even lead to permanent damage,” he said.
"Loud noises, such as an aircraft taking off (over 130 decibels) and construction sites (100-110 decibels), are comparable to the loud music played by DJs at close range. This can cause sudden sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, ear blockage or pain. Many people, however, delay seeking medical attention from an ENT specialist, often mistaking the symptoms for earwax buildup, which can lead to missed diagnosis and lost treatment time,” he added.
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