Smart Phone Based Audiometry in City Traffic Police

Abstract

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is defined as "reduction in auditory acuity associated with noise exposure". Traffic police is a bundle of people who are the usual sufferer of this type of increased hearing threshold. In developing countries like India, many of them are unable to access audiology services, because of shortage of trained professionals and limited sources. Smartphone based audiometry is easy and can detect hearing loss as early as possible. To study hearing threshold in traffic police. Total 88 persons were included in the study. An occupational history was taken regarding duration of posting followed by smart phone based audiometry (Hearing Test TM software) test. Out of total 88 persons, 80 were having increased hearing thresholds which were suggestive of noise induced hearing loss. Out of total 88 persons 8 were in normal group, 24 were in mild hearing loss group, 42 were in moderate hearing loss group and 14 were in severe hearing loss group. Total number of person with notch at 4000/6000 Hz was 28, suggestive of particular pattern of noise induced hearing loss. During the last decade, mobile phones have evolved like anything. Furthermore, the utilization of health-related applications has gained increased focus. Health-related applications are useful, less time consuming and with increased efficiency by early diagnoses. There are many of smart-phone hearing applications that are already in use. They use similar principle as audiometer. This kind of application will narrow down the supply and demand ratio of audiology service in developing countries.

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