Prevalence and Factors Associated with Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Young Adults

Ear is the sense organ of hearing and any damage or defect in hearing can lead to communication disturbances and personal isolation. Noise pollution affects hearing and prolonged exposure to loud noises induces. Noise Induce Hearing Loss (NIHL), which is preventable if precautionary, measures taken. NIHL is irreversible and is mostly symmetrical as in case of occupational exposure but through environmental exposure NIHL may be asymmetrical. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of NIHL in university students due to environmental exposure and leisure time activities. Sample of 204 students participated in study. Structured questionnaire containing social demographic factors and noise exposure were administrated in participants.  Weber test and Rinne's test were performed to study NIHL. Crosstab analysis of both test's result and tinnitus with different factors was done. Out of a sample, 204 students 75 participants were suffering from NIHL. Forty-one participants had asymmetrical NIHL while 34 participants had symmetrical NIHL. These results based on Weber and Rinne's test. Our study conclude that NIHL is symmetrical and asymmetrical in case of environmental and leisure time activities.