Hearing power can be permanently destroyed by the sound of firecrackers

The loud noise of firecrackers burst during the Diwali festival may provide momentary pleasure, but it can cause permanent damage to the ears. According to a report by Amar Ujala, the intense noise of firecrackers can strip a person of their hearing ability. In India, the legal limit for the sound of firecrackers has been set at 125 decibels, but when a person is very close to the firecrackers, this sound can increase significantly beyond the prescribed limit.

Experts have warned that loud blasts from firecrackers can rupture the eardrum and damage the hair cells located in the inner part of the ear. The most concerning aspect is that once these hair cells are destroyed, they do not regenerate, which can lead to a permanent impact on hearing capacity and the person may become permanently deaf.

Dr. Neeraj Kumar Singh, Associate Professor at the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing based in Mysuru, has provided important information regarding this. According to him, the measurement of firecracker sound is generally conducted at a distance of four metres. If the distance from the firecracker is reduced by half, there is an increase of six decibels in the sound. According to this calculation, a firecracker whose sound is 125 decibels at four metres can reach up to 143 decibels at a distance of just half a metre.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, the tolerance for sudden intense noise for adults is up to 140 decibels, while this limit is much lower for children. For children, even a sound of 120 decibels can prove hazardous, indicating that children's ears are more sensitive than those of adults and are more likely to suffer damage.

To avoid these risks, experts have given some important suggestions. While bursting firecrackers, a person should maintain a distance of at least four to five metres. Especially for the protection of children's ears, they should be made to wear foam earplugs or earmuffs. Generally, people put cotton in their ears, but according to experts, cotton does not provide sufficient protection against noise; therefore, using earplugs is more advisable.

If a ringing sound is heard in the ears, there is pain in the ear, or it feels that hearing capacity has decreased after bursting firecrackers, an ENT specialist should be contacted immediately. If such a problem persists for 24 to 48 hours, it is imperative to undergo necessary medical examination immediately to prevent further damage.