more-in Kozhikode: When do you blow a horn? If the question is posed to a driver in Kerala, there is no definite answer. Drivers keep blowing the horn when they are in a hurry to reach their destinations and the traffic is heavy; when the traffic signal is about to turn green/red, and there are like two vehicles in front of them; when they are stuck at a level crossing or an unending traffic block, or it could just be that they are plainly irritated. The incessant blowing of horn is often a source of irritation and distraction for those who like to drive in peace. More importantly, the high-decibel sound of horns could harm the hearing of a yet-to-be-born child. It can also cause hearing impairment to newborn babies. It is this message that the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Association of Otolaryngologists of India (AOI) aim to convey through the observance of National No Honking Day on April 26, which is also International Noise Awareness Day. “Any sound which is more than 80 decibels will affect the hearing capacity of a foetus, which starts developing within four to six weeks of pregnancy. We have found that children born in hospitals near roads with heavy traffic have a greater possibility for hearing impairment at birth,” said Dr. O.S. Rajendran, president of Malabar chapter and president elect of AOI State chapter. In Kozhikode, the police and the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) have joined hands with IMA and AOI to ensure that No Honking Day is observed on April 26. “In countries with better traffic system, honking is an emergency measure by drivers to indicate that they are in trouble. There, you don’t have to blow horn while taking a curve, because there is no chance of an accident at a turning. There, you also don’t seek permission to overtake by blowing horn, because the speed is regulated in such a way that there is no need to overtake,” Dr. Rajendran added. “In India, the absence of a proper driving culture leads to intense noise pollution. There is no point in educating older people. We need to start creating awareness among children below 10 years of age,” he said. However, honking is not the only threat to newborn hearing and hence, AOI is planning to launch an extensive campaign against sound pollution in the State in the coming weeks under the slogan ‘Noise-free Kozhikode’. “Everything including the sound of a mixer grinder, loud music and sound of fire crackers is dangerous. We have found that children born near the Thrissur Pooram grounds on Pooram day have serious hearing problems,” Dr. Rajendran said. Though it is impossible to avoid sounds, there are many that could be avoided. At least a pregnant woman could stay away from the sound of mixer grinder and loud music, Dr. Rajendran suggested.

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