Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Noise-induced hearing loss is a type of sensorineural hearing loss caused by long-term exposure to loud noise. This study provides insight into hearing loss problems the general population faces. The study aimed to find out the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss among patients needing pure tone audiometry evaluation in a tertiary care centre. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 January 2021 to 30 July 2021 among patients requiring pure tone audiometry evaluation in the outpatient Department of Otorhinolaryngology in a tertiary care centre. The study was conducted after ethical approval from Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 2812202001). Pure tone audiometry was used to diagnose noise-induced hearing loss. Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. RESULTS: Out of 690 patients, 14 (2.02%) (0.97-3.06, 95% Confidence Interval) were diagnosed with noise-induced hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss among patients requiring pure tone audiometry evaluation was similar to other studies conducted in similar settings. KEYWORDS: audiometry; noise-induced hearing loss; tinnitus.