Bursting loud crackers and the relation with your hearing is not simple or straightforward. From ear drum perforation to permanent hearing loss this is what can happen if you don’t take precautions.
Festivals are loads of fun. But do you know how to have a safe celebration? One of the major worries while bursting crackers other than fire hazards, and air pollution, is the risk of noise-induced hearing loss It can be temporary or permanent. Acoustic trauma is a more serious condition. The good news is, this year the supreme court is serious about air and noise pollution. But this kind of pro-activeness we need throughout the year. Sound pollution is real and can destroy the quality of life forever!
Your local policemen will be the person responsible for preventing bursting illegal noisy crackers at the wrong time. If they don’t prevent it, or fail to do so, they run the risk of being hauled in front of the honorable court for contempt. What I don’t understand is, why won’t sensible Indians think about their own health and wellness? Diwali is a festival of lights. Why make it deafening?
#Truth 1 about Fire Crackers sound & Hearing
The sound which is loud enough to cause damage to your inner ear may cause permanent hearing loss. This is not reversible. therapy.Up to 75 dB sound levels will generally cause temporary hearing loss.
Acoustic trauma: This occurs when there is a one-time sudden exposure to very high sound pressure levels. Usually at around 130 dB. Sound crackers can cause this damage.
Noise-induced hearing loss typically occurs when the ear is exposed to very high noise levels, sufficient time to cause damage.
If temporary, recovery will occur within the first 2 days.
In the audiometry report, it will appear as a steep auditory notch at mainly 4 KHz. The temporary depression may disappear after minutes or hours.
#Truth 2
Symptoms of acute, sudden noise trauma after cracker sound?
- Ringing, buzzing sound or tinnitus.
- Partial hearing loss. Depending on the distance and intensity this may progress.
- Perforation of the tympanic membrane with bleeding from ear.
#Truth 3
Precautions you can take against loud sound exposure:
Don’t use crackers that cause a loud explosion.
If you are in a locality where such activities are usual, try to keep a distance from these crackers.
Use Acoustic blockers. Visit your nearest emergency ENT services and get audiometry done if you have any symptoms.
Don’t buy Chinese crackers. They contain chemicals at nonpermissible levels and can burst at higher sound levels.
Check the sound levels specified in the crackers. Buy only when it is within specified levels.
#Truth 4
Treatment of Ear problem occurring after Sound trauma:
Sudden hearing loss following acoustic trauma: Your doctor may also prescribe steroids and neuroprotective drugs.
Eardrum perforation: Repair or conservative treatment depending on the size of the perforation.
Hearing aid trial and hearing aid. Cochlear implant in some cases.
Unfortunately, Tinnitus treatment is not full proof.
Honking causes hearing loss too and so do excessive alcohol binges!
#Truth5
What does the law say about loud noise?
“Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Environment Protection
Rule, 1986 and 1999 (amendment) rules”;
The manufacture, sale or use of firecrackers generating noise level exceeding 125 dB(AI) or 145 dB(C) pk at 4 meters distance from the point of bursting shall be prohibited.”
The Explosives Rules 2008 (Rule 14) mandates that every manufacturer shall on the box of each firecracker shall mention details of its chemical content, sound level and that it satisfies requirements laid down by the chief controller”
May the light of Diwali make you blessed. Have a wonderful Diwali.
Read all about Noise cancelling Head phones
References :
Cummings Otolaryngology: Head
& Neck Surgery6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Sa unders; 2015:chap 150.
Disclaimer: This post is for spreading awareness and is not meant to be medical advice. Kindly consult your doctor for all health concerns. Read my full disclaimer here.
Updated 2019
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