Pune: ENT specialists in the city are reporting a surge in patients with noise-induced ear issues after Ganeshotsav. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) reported slightly less average noise pollution during this year’s festival as compared to last. City-based Ruby Hall Clinic has treated 10–15 new patients over last one week with complaints ranging from difficulty in hearing to disturbed sleep and a constant buzzing in the ears. Dr Murarji Ghadge, senior ENT surgeon and sleep disorder specialist at Ruby Hall Clinic, said, “Pune is seeing a significant increase in health issues directly tied to noise pollution over the past few years. The impact goes beyond temporary annoyance, as prolonged exposure can lead to permanent damage, including hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, irritability, concentration problems, and severe sleep disruptions.“The specialists fear that the number of patients was likely to rise over the next two weeks.Dr Smitha Chouta, consultant and ENT surgeon at Surya Hospital in Wakad, said, “The trend of noise-related health issues started with the loud Dahi Handi celebrations and continued with the Ganesh festival, with some areas experiencing extremely high noise levels. Patients are reporting symptoms like tinnitus, ear discomfort and partial hearing loss, with a risk of permanent damage in severe cases. Unfortunately, the number of cases remains high compared to last year, with most patients having participated in loud processions. Just recently, two patients sought treatment after being exposed to loud noise, complaining of distorted hearing and ear ringing.”According to the doctors, prolonged exposure to loud music from DJs can significantly impact hearing health, potentially causing hearing damage. If left untreated within 48 hours of exposure, this could have far-reaching complications, they warned.Dr Ajinkya Kelkar, ENT specialist based on Jangali Maharaj Road, said, “I saw a patient recently who was exposed to extremely loud music from a DJ system while passing by a pandal, resulting in moderate to severe hearing loss due to inner ear nerve damage. If such cases aren’t treated promptly, particularly within the critical 48-hour window, they can even lead to permanent damage.”Dr Kelkar said noise levels at pandals were easily above 90 decibels this festive season. “Loud noises, such as an aircraft taking off (over 130 decibels) and construction sites (100-110 decibels), are comparable to the loud music played by DJs at close range. This can cause sudden sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, ear blockage or pain. Many people, however, delay seeking medical attention from an ENT specialist, often mistaking the symptoms for earwax buildup, which can lead to missed diagnosis and lost treatment time.“Dr Santosh Latkar, ex-president of the Association of ENT Surgeons of India and professor-head of ENT at DY Patil Medical College, Talegaon, said, “The ear is a very sensitive organ. Sound that reaches the eardrum gets amplified nearly 17 times inside. So, if you are exposed to 100 decibels, the ear perceives it as 1,700 units of pressure. DJs often cross 100–150 decibels, and this causes tremendous pressure on the inner ear.“He said the ear’s delicate sensory hair cells could be damaged by sudden increases in sound pressure, leading to hearing loss. “During festivals, cases of noise-related hearing issues are common. Typically, three to four patients are seen monthly, but recently, five patients have been treated just after the visarjan procession, with most experiencing partial hearing loss and potential for total loss if exposed to extremely loud sounds at close range,” Dr Latkar said.
