Aditi panda

Globally World Hearing Day is held on 3rd March every year. World Health Organisation started this initiative with the sole object of increasing awareness on different ways to thwart deafness and hearing loss. Furthermore it’s an endeavor to prop up ear and hearing care across the globe.

A theme is decided by World health Organisation after which a catalogue is designed based on the finest existing data as well as other material for advocacy like posters and banners. The material is shared with the different stakeholders including the governments in partnership and civil society organisations working for this cause to spread the word.

The theme for this year is ‘Hear the Future’ with more focus on creating understanding on the escalating numbers with hearing loss and related problems around the world. Anticipatory planning to eliminate hearing impairment or related problems as well as essential rehabilitation will also be planned.

Hearing problems are on a rampant because of continuous exposure to loud noise in the surrounding due to shrill horns honking, loud speakers, deafening music, wedding processions etc. The level is a lot above the normal standard which can cause permanent deafness or other hearing related problems. Researchers also say that it may also lead to neurological and digestive disorders if the existing level of noise is not controlled.

“Today everybody is in a hurry and also intolerant. Every driver on the road cannot bear others overtake them as if it’s kind of some race and that is the main reason of booming horns. There is an increasing trend of the shrillest horns among the youth today. Another irritating habit of people is when some use the foot paths to shun the traffic and horn incessantly to shoo away the pedestrians”, says Manas Patnaik, a government employee.

These days parties, festivals, elections and marriage season also adversely affect the public because the loud noise is deafening and disturbs the people. Mamata Behera, teaching in a school says,” The loud-mike system and speakers is synonyms with every festival and the neighbourhood is traumatised for days. Even the police are unable to stop this noise pollution and the enjoyment of festivals fizzles out because the music is jarring and upsets the children, senior citizens and babies. Even hearing music using ear plugs also can be dangerous to the ears but the youngsters refuse to give in”.

“Honking is always a sign of impatience, ego and sticking a finger at the other drivers. In spite of “no honking” signs near the hospitals, schools people relentlessly honk showing a sense of insensitivity. In India

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the permissible level of decibel is 45db in the day and 35db at night, but it is way above that anywhere in India. The govt of every state should come up with rewards for people who inform them of drivers unnecessarily honking and keeping the details of the informer confidential. Wedding procession accompanied by brass bands is another nuisance faced by the civilians. It not only promotes noise pollution but also puts the pedestrians and other commuters into uncalled inconvenience, therefore banning the wedding procession should take precedence over penalising honking,” shares Mangala Kini, a homemaker.

Problems related to hearing, though are never considered seriously is very imperative and has permanent repercussions. If the civil society and every civilised person decide to contribute even a percent by showing sensitiveness towards reducing the sound in the ambience then the world will see less numbers facing hearing problems.Donot wait for others to take action by taking precautions and prevention yourself.

That’s why this World Hearing Day, promise to decrease the sound and noise around you to save yourself and others from short term or permanent deafness.

(Aditi is a freelance writer and pursues interest in the area of social issues)

2 COMMENTS

  1. India must be the loudest country in the world, literally. Everything in our nation is loud. The writer has very accurately highlighted the excessive sound levels we are subjected to on a daily basis. This constant onslaught on our hearing sense is rendering us deaf and numb. It’s crazy the amount of decibels our ears are subjected to. This is only a manifestation of the stress levels where in people vent out their frustration by making noise and assaulting others. Children are especially more vulnerable to permanent damage. Usage of ear phones only aggravates the condition. Frankly I don’t see any viable solution for this noise pollution. Maybe one day every citizen will turn deaf and it won’t matter then, anyways.

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