MYSORE:
If one thinks restaurants in Bangalore are places to relax in, think again. For, the noise level in hotels is alarming.

A study conducted by the All-India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) here recently revealed that the peak noise level in restaurants in Bangalore was as high as 88 decibels as against the permissible limit of 65 decibels. The AIISH conducted a similar survey in Chennai also.

Sources said the purpose of the survey of noise levels in Bangalore and Chennai was to impress upon people and government authorities that they could not be silent on the dangers from noise. Besides restaurants, noise levels were also measured on J.C. Road, M.G. Road, Kempe Gowda Road, Vinayaka Nagar, the airport lounge, Kempe Gowda Bus Stand and at the city railway station ticket counter at various points of time during the day to analyse the overall noise pollution in Bangalore.

The study revealed that the noise level at these places was well above the permissible limit, and what remained a cause for concern for medical practitioners was that any noise above 85 decibels could lead to hearing damage, which would put the victim at risk of heart disease.

In fact, the results of the study by AIISH were the average measurement of noise over one hour during which 240 readings were taken and equivalent noise calculated. Director of the AIISH M. Jayaram told The Hindu, "The noise level during the measurement period could vary, peaking to as high as 110 decibels and dropping to 70 decibels. The average is taken and the measurement is arrived at."

Not only were commuters on the busy roads at risk, street-side vendors and shopkeepers would face a serious problem as noise levels on all these roads were above 85 decibels, he said.
On the survey results, Dr. Jayaram said, "Imagine the plight of poor citizens who go to restaurants. They are subjected to high level of noise there. The plight of waiters and other employees are even worse as they have to endure the high noise level for an extended duration." It is learnt that individuals may face permanent irreversible hearing loss in around one year if he is exposed to around 90 decibels for about six hours a day.
At 110 decibels the eardrum may rupture, while an individual reaches the threshold of pain between 125 and 130 decibels.

AGAINST NOISE POLLUTION: A noise-level check was carried out in Bangalore as part of International Noise Awareness Day on Wednesday. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

Bangalore:

The Samvaad Institute of Speech and Hearing, R.T. Nagar, and the Nayak's Hearing Care Clinic, Wilson Garden, will organise free hearing camps on Thursday.

Noise pollution is increasing and by the time a person realises that he is suffering from hearing loss, it is too late. Noise-induced hearing loss is cumulative, Radhika Poovayya, director of Samvaad, said.

Samvaad Institute and Nayak's clinic are trying to create awareness about the importance of having a quiet home and environment. On Wednesday, when International Noise Awareness Day was observed, they urged the public to protect their hearing and health.
Traffic noise was measured at 10 important areas of the city and the results were compared to the permissible noise level given by the Central Pollution Control Board.

"We must take the responsibility to reduce noise in our surroundings and create a healthy environment," said M.S.J. Nayak, Director of Nayak's Hearing Care Clinic.

Noise pollution is caused by several sources; 80 per cent caused by motor vehicles, 10 per cent by industry and the rest by trains, public places, bars, etc. "Unfortunately, the fact that noise induced hearing loss is `preventable' seems to be falling on deaf ears," said Ms. Poovayya.