The Indian Medical Association in association with the Kerala chapter of the Association of Otolaryngologists (ENT specialists) will launch an awareness campaign against noise pollution titled ‘Noise-free Kerala’. It will be formally launched by Transport Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh at the inaugural function of KENTCON, the annual State conference of the association to be held here from September 27 to 29.
A major part of the campaign will include seminars to be held in schools, offices and residential areas. A short film is also being planned.
“The noise level in our country is one of the highest in the world. In Kerala also, the amount of noise generated from the loudspeakers set up for public meetings, religious festivals and from automobiles is huge. Long-term exposure to such high intensity sound can hamper hearing and may lead to complete deafness. So an awareness campaign to reduce the noise levels is important,” said John Panikker, chairman of organising committee for KENTCON, at a press conference here on Tuesday.
He said the association would also push the government to appoint an officer who would be the authority on granting permission to use loudspeakers in public places. KENTCON will also have seminars on cutting edge technologies used in surgery and detailed discussions on cochlear implant, endoscopic surgery and therapy for snoring. Internationally renowned ENT surgeons will take part in the 3 day seminar.