PREVALENCE OF NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS AMONG POLICE PERSONNEL IN MADURAI CITY.

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the common cause of sensorineural hearing loss, which is well documented among the industrial workers, but the same is not much noticed among the high risk overt group (i.e.) the Police personnel. The present study aimed at finding out the prevalence of NIHL among the police personnel in Madurai city who had more than 15 years of service in the police department. 241 police personnel with age more than 40 years, served as subjects for the present study. The subject group comprised with majority of males (219 males) and 22 females. All the subjects had undergone Pure Tone Audiometry testing in a sound proof room. The results showed that out of 241 subjects, 88 subjects had normal hearing sensitivity and 153 subjects had affected hearing (i.e.) 63.48% of the subjects had hearing loss. Hence, the subjects were divided into two groups, with Group 1 comprising 88 normal hearing individuals and Group 2 with 153 hearing loss population. The results were further statistically analyzed for the following variables: Pure Tone Average (Right & Left ear), Threshold at 4000Hz (Right ear and Left ear) and their years of service. The statistical analyses showed a significant increase in Pure Tone Average and 4 KHz threshold in Group 2 than Group 1. Also, as the years of their service increased, their degree of hearing loss also increased. Hence the study concludes that even police personnel are at high risk for Noise Induced Hearing Loss due to their work environment and work nature. So, the police personnel are also advised to use Ear protective devices during their work hours and to undergo periodic auditory evaluations.