NIHL becomes a leading cause of acquired auditory damage

An audiologist from AIISH, Mysuru, screening an industrial worker for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) has emerged as a leading, yet fully preventable, cause of acquired auditory damage. While occasional loud noise may appear harmless, continuous or intense exposure can lead to a range of short and long-term health effects, say experts at the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) in Mysuru.

NIHL is permanent, resulting from sustained exposure to high-decibel environments. Globally, it is the second most common type of acquired hearing loss after age-related hearing loss, technically termed as “Presbycusis”.

AIISH’s audiologists Aysha Nida and Sandeep Maruthy say early symptoms such as auditory fatigue, where hearing temporarily recovers after leaving a noisy environment, often go unnoticed. “But prolonged exposure leads to irreversible damage, with consequences including tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound), and communication difficulties that impact professional and social life,” they said.

Quoting World Health Organisation data, the audiologists said over 1.1 billion young people aged between 12 and 35 are at risk of hearing damage due to unsafe listening practices. In India, both industrial workers and youth using personal listening devices face rising vulnerability.

A study in Mysuru, conducted by Sreeraj Konadath of the AIISH, reported that noise levels in commercial, residential, and even sensitive zones routinely exceeded the permissible limits set by the Central Pollution Control Board. “These findings raise concerns about weak enforcement and a lack of public awareness. Industrial screening in Mysuru also revealed that several workers were already exhibiting signs of NIHL, highlighting the urgency of workplace interventions,” Ms. Nida and Mr. Maruthy said, in a write-up on the occasion of International Noise Awareness Day.

AIISH, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has long been at the forefront of preventing NIHL through its industrial hearing screening programme (IHSP). The initiative regularly screens industrial workers and other high-risk groups using a copyrighted, evidence-based testing protocol to identify individuals affected by NIHL or at risk of developing it, according to the audiologists.

In addition to screening, AIISH has developed a “structured protocol” for mapping occupational noise levels in various industries. This allows for accurate prediction of NIHL risk among workers, enabling targeted preventive measures, they said.

Given the growing burden of NIHL, the AIISH is calling on stakeholders across the country to take proactive steps. The institute has been advocating for making noise mapping and hearing screening mandatory across all industries exposed to hazardous noise levels.

With its technical expertise and established protocols, the AIISH can serve as a nodal mentoring centre for guiding and supporting the nationwide implementation of these essential services, the note from the AIISH said.

“On the occasion of International Noise Awareness Day, let us recognise that the ability to hear is not just a sensory experience but a social and emotional lifeline.NIHL is preventable, and the time to act is now. By recognising early signs, adopting protective habits, and making informed choices, we can preserve the gift of hearing for generations to come,” suggest Ms. Nida and Mr. Maruthy.