Neo-natal experts say they face the risk of developing a hearing problem as the city contributes to noise pollution by firing loud crackers day and night.
A boisterous Mumbai during Diwali is particularly harmful to newborns. Neo-natal experts say they face the risk of developing a hearing problem as the city contributes to noise pollution by firing loud crackers day and night. What’s worse, it is difficult to detect the damage because of the subtleness of the impact.
“Newborn babies are vulnerable to the loud noise created by firecrackers. The impact is subtle and gauging the damage is difficult. Exposure to the loud sound of crackers can damage their eardrums,” said Dr Jayshree Mondkar, head neonatologist at
Sion hospital.
Usually, the noise generated by firecrackers during Diwali is around 140 decibels — way above the 55 decibel limit prescribed by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board for residential areas during the day. The prescribed limit at night is 45 decibels. The figure is 65 decibels for commercial areas.
Experts say the noise during Diwali can cause permanent hearing loss to newborns. “Some children in the 2-15 age groups also develop anxiety and fear because of loud noise from firecrackers. Many parents prefer to go out of town during Diwali to stay away from noise and air pollution,” said senior psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty.
Doctors advise parents to keep their newborns away from loud noise and use earmuffs. “Find a safe place and don’t get too close to firecrackers. Noise above 80 decibels can have an effect on the hearing ability of children. They are more sensitive to high-pitch sounds. The duration of exposure to loud sound is a deciding factor when it comes to short or long-term damage from noise pollution,” said Dr Gauri Mankekar, consulting ENT specialist at PD Hinduja hospital.
Borivli resident Neha Shah, mother of a two-month-old girl, is on her toes during Diwali. “I keep my daughter in the inside room and cover her with cotton plugs with a cap around her ears. She gets scared at the slightest sound of a firecracker,” she said.
Women in the first trimester of pregnancy must also not expose themselves to loud noise. “There is no research that establishes the impact of noise pollution created by the firing of crackers during Diwali on the foetus. But it is advisable that a woman stays away from loud firecrackers during the first three months of pregnancy. The foetus is in the initial stage of development and therefore, extra care should be taken,” said Dr Chander Lulla, fetal medicine specialist at Jaslok hospital.
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