FREQUENCY OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT IN WORKERS AT RAILWAY INTERSECTIONS AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: While a number of variables contribute to noise pollution, one of its main origins and causes is train
noise. The people who live close to and work at railway stations are the ones who are most affected by railway noise
because they are subjected to loud noises from locomotive engines in the diesel shed, rail yards, whistles, horns, and
shunting activities.
Aim: The current study aims to evaluate the impact of noise on railway workers in relation to the rise in hearing loss
rates and the decline in their productivity. The study also evaluated the impact of noise on routine everyday
activities.
Method: A purposeful sampling strategy was used to identify 100 respondents who were employed at the railway
junction for the current investigation. The current study used a premade structure proforma to measure the study
respondents' fundamental knowledge regarding their well-being and productivity during working hours. The study
was questionnaire-based. The responses to the questions were given in the yes/no manner on a scale of 0 to 5, with 0
representing not at all and 5 representing very lot.
Results: 65% (n=65) of research participants reported feeling any form of annoyance or mental stress during
working hours as a result of noise. 60% (n=60) of study participants reported feeling strain over conversations
involving two or more persons. Of the research participants, 12% (n=12) reported having frequent headaches, and
20% (n=20) reported having positive anxiety related to noise, whereas 80% (n=80) reported negative anxiety related
to noise. Of the 35 research participants, only 35 (or 35%) were aware of any type of hearing aid. Of the
interviewees, 32% (n=32) acknowledged that noise was interfering with their personal lives.
Conclusion: The current study comes to the conclusion that railway personnel are significantly impacted by noise,
which also affects their personal lives. Railway personnel experience issues in both their personal and professional
lives as a result of their extended exposure to loud noises.