MMDA studying ways to prevent hearing loss among enforcers

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that it is looking for ways to reduce the risk of hearing loss among traffic enforcers exposed to frequent noise due to the nature of their work.

MMDA Chairman Don Artes made this statement on Tuesday in response to a study by the University of the Philippines Manila, which noted that enforcers stationed along Edsa have suffered from hearing impairment due to constant exposure and the lack of proper equipment against harmful noise.

READ: UP study: Edsa traffic aides at risk of hearing loss

“Amin na pong pinag-aaralan kung anong magandang rekomendasyon, hindi naman po pwedeng completely magkaroon ng ear plugs ‘yung aming mga enforcers para hindi po maapektuhan,” Artes said in a press conference.

(We are currently studying the best recommendation; it is not feasible for our enforcers to completely use earplugs so that they will not be affected.)

“Delikado rin po ‘yun sa kanila, hindi nila maririnig kung may parating na sasakyan. Amin pong pinag-aaralan kung ano ‘yung pwede nating gawin para ma-mitigate o para mabawasan ‘yung masamang epekto po ng tunog ng sasakyan at mga busina doon po sa pandinig ng ating mga enforcers,” he added.

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(That’s also dangerous for them, as they wouldn’t hear if a vehicle approached. We are studying what we can do to mitigate or reduce the harmful effects of vehicle noise and horns on the hearing of our enforcers.)

The study was conducted on 108 MMDA enforcers, of whom 13 percent (14 enforcers) experienced “significant noise exposure at work” and 16 percent (17 enforcers) had “moderate hearing loss or worse in at least one ear.”

Dr. Kimberly Mae Ong, the research lead and an assistant professor at the Philippine National Ear Institute, said in the study that traffic enforcers exposed for eight hours to a sound pressure level of more than 85 decibels A (dBA) were at least “25 percent more likely to experience hearing abnormalities.”

But aside from hearing loss, Artes pointed out that the enforcers’ respiratory health is also compromised due to exposure to smoke and other pollutants.

“‘Yan naman po ay tina-try nating i-address through distribution ng mask, although syempre po ‘yun po kasing ibang motorista sinasabi na nagtatakip daw po ng mukha ang ating mga enforcers. So kailangan din nilang maintindihan na iyan po ay para sa kalusugan nila [enforcers],” he said.

(We are trying to address that through the distribution of masks, although some motorists claim that our enforcers are covering their faces. So they also need to understand that it’s for the enforcers’ health.)