High noise at workplace causes hearing loss, stress

High noise levels at work are found to contribute to hearing difficulty, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, according to a study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.

The most impacted are the ones working at construction sites, machine units and heavy industries.

According to the study, 58 per cent of such workers had hearing difficulty, 14 per cent suffered from high blood pressure and nine per cent had high cholesterol. The study gives an insight into the co-relation between noise exposure and high blood pressure.

Dr Manoj Aggarwal, a

Noise is found to increase the stress which triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol. This increased stress levels lead to high blood pressure. But this can be one of the many causes. — MANOJ AGGARWAL Senior cardiologist

senior cardiologist in the city, explained, “Noise is found to increase the stress which triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol. This increased stress levels lead to high blood pressure. But this can be one of the causes, apart from other lifestyle issues. Hence it is a combination of factors.”

People living on the main roads are also found to suffer from the same problem. They are constantly exposed to thoe honking on the roads and the movement of vehicles which leads to increased stress levels adding to their problem of high blood pressure.

According to another senior cardiologist, Dr K K Aggarwal, “The study is important as in clinical practice we never ask any questions about how noise affects an individual. In cases where we are trying to find the causes of stress, noise can also play an important role in helping us understand the reasons for high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.”