DMCH to conduct study on hearing loss among traffic cops in Ludhiana
The study will also aim to find out high level noise zones in the city and offer preventative measures to cops to save ears from excessive traffic noise
A research to study ear health of traffic cops of the city might soon take off under the aegis of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) and Christian Medical College, Ludhiana.
As per the initial plan, the project will commence in the coming weeks and will be conducted by ENT (ear-nose-throat) department of the DMCH.
Manish Munjal, head of ENT department said a similar study on Mumbai traffic police inspired him to conduct the research on Ludhiana cops.
“The Mumbai study reveals that a majority of the traffic cops have poor ear health because of their long exposure to traffic noise, especially pressure horns. Considering this, we feel such a survey should also be conducted in Ludhiana as there is no dearth of traffic here,” Munjal said, adding that a detailed proposal for the research will be made once green signal for participation of traffic cops is given by the police commissioner.
“We will first speak to the police commissioner, if he is willing to cooperate, we will prepare a proposal. We will divide the policemen in batches and conduct the tests on different dates following which, we will compile the results to find out the core reasons for poor health issues,” he added.The study will also aim to find out high-level noise zones in the city and offer preventative measures to cops to prevent ear damage and teach sound level measurement instruments so as to check noise levels of vehicular horns.
GREEN SIGNAL FROM POLICE COMMISSIONER
When shared about the research plan with police commissioner RN Dhoke, he said it’s a good idea and police will fully cooperate with DMCH as it will be for the benefit of the traffic cops. “Whenever the concerned officials from DMCH approach us, it will be a yes from us as our cops are daily exposed to high levels of noise for hours,” said Dhoke.
CITY HOME TO 215 TRAFFIC COPS
According to assistant commissioner of police Dhruman Nimbale, the traffic is currently being managed by 215 cops, including females. They are allotted duties as per traffic flow but they are usually five to six cops at busy points like Bharat Nagar Chowk, Jagron Bridge and Bhai Bala Chowk. When it comes to work timings during the day when noise levels are at their zenith, there are two shifts: 7am to 3pm and 3pm to 11pm with breaks at the same place.