From Mylapore Markets to Mount Road Traffic: How Everyday Sounds in Chennai Affect Hearing Health
Introduction
If you live in Chennai, you already know the city never sleeps. From the buzzing crowds of Mylapore’s Kapaleeshwarar temple markets to the unending honks along Mount Road (Anna Salai), everyday sounds are a defining part of life here. While these sounds create the city’s vibrant rhythm, they also pose a serious risk to hearing health.
Recent studies have shown that noise pollution levels in Chennai are among the highest in India, especially in densely populated areas like T. Nagar, Parrys Corner, and Central. Over time, this constant exposure can lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), tinnitus, and even vertigo symptoms.
That’s why understanding how Chennai’s soundscape affects hearing health—and what you can do about it—is crucial. At Eljay Hearing Centre, with 49 years of expertise, seven branches across Chennai, and an expert team of audiologists and ENT specialists, we’ve seen first-hand how the city’s noise impacts people differently across age groups.
Everyday Chennai Sounds That Threaten Hearing Health
- The Market Madness: Mylapore, T. Nagar & Koyambedu
Chennai’s markets are lively and colorful—but also extremely loud. In Mylapore’s temple streets or the bustling Koyambedu wholesale market, sound levels can reach 85–100 decibels (dB), well above the safe threshold of 70 dB for long-term exposure.
Prolonged shopping trips, especially for vendors and auto drivers nearby, can lead to:
– Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
– Temporary hearing fatigue
– Over time, permanent hearing loss
👉 -Fact:- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), noise above 85 dB for more than 8 hours a day significantly increases the risk of hearing damage.
- Mount Road (Anna Salai) Traffic Chaos
Whether you’re commuting through Mount Road, Guindy, or Kathipara Junction, the traffic noise is relentless. Between blaring horns, revving bikes, and metro construction, noise levels here often exceed 95 dB during peak hours.
Daily commuters and office workers in this zone are at risk of:
– Hearing strain and difficulty understanding speech in quiet settings
– Stress, hypertension, and headaches (linked to prolonged noise exposure)
– Aggravated tinnitus and vertigo symptoms
- Religious & Cultural Festivals
Chennai is a city of festivals—from Kapaleeshwarar Temple Ther Thiruvizha in Mylapore to Kollywood music concerts and Diwali firecrackers. While these events bring joy, they also expose people to sudden bursts of extremely loud sounds (110–120 dB).
For sensitive individuals, these spikes can trigger:
– Sudden hearing loss
– Worsening tinnitus
– Vestibular imbalance, leading to dizziness or vertigo episodes
- Industrial Zones & Workplaces
Areas like Ambattur Industrial Estate, Guindy, and Sriperumbudur are hubs of mechanical and manufacturing activity. Workers here are exposed to constant machinery noise (90–100 dB). Without proper hearing protection, many workers develop:
– Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
– Difficulty hearing conversations
– Long-term ear damage
- Lifestyle Noise: Gyms, Cinemas & Headphones
Even outside the streets, lifestyle choices add to Chennai’s noise burden:
– Gyms: Music blasting at 95–100 dB
– Multiplex cinemas: Average sound levels of 90 dB
– Headphones/earbuds: Prolonged use at high volume (>85 dB)
These contribute to early-onset hearing problems, especially among young professionals and students.
The Silent Impact: Hearing Health Beyond Hearing Loss
Noise doesn’t just damage hearing. For many Chennai residents, it contributes to:
– Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing sounds)
– Vertigo (dizziness triggered by vestibular imbalance)
– Sleep disturbances (especially in noisy areas like Nanganallur or Velachery main roads)
– Mental health issues like anxiety and irritability
Protecting Hearing Health in a Noisy Chennai
- Regular Hearing Tests in Chennai
If you live in areas like Mylapore, Velachery, or Ambattur, routine hearing check-ups are crucial. Early detection allows timely treatment with hearing aids, tinnitus therapy, or preventive counseling.
- Use of Hearing Protection
– Earplugs: For concerts, temple festivals, or markets
– Noise-cancelling headphones: For daily commuters on buses/trains
– Custom-moulded earplugs: Available at Eljay for musicians, workers, and frequent festival-goers
- Modern Hearing Solutions
At Eljay, we provide digital hearing aids designed to help people manage both hearing loss and tinnitus in noisy environments. Options include:
– Rechargeable hearing aids (perfect for Chennai’s power cuts and humidity)
– Invisible hearing aids (discreet, suitable for professionals)
– Hearing aids with tinnitus maskers (ideal for patients with noise-triggered tinnitus)
- Lifestyle Adjustments
– Limiting headphone volume to 60% for no more than 60 minutes
– Taking “quiet breaks” after being in markets or noisy offices
– Choosing residential areas with lower noise levels, or soundproofing homes near traffic-heavy roads
Why Choose Eljay Hearing Centre in Chennai
With 49 years of legacy, Eljay Hearing Centre is an authorised channel partner for all major global hearing aid brands and offers complete diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative solutions.
Our 7 branches across Chennai make it easy for residents from all corners of the city to access expert care:
– Purasawalkam (Head Office) – A1, 1st Floor, Garden Apartments, No.68, Purasawalkam High Road, Chennai – 600007
– Adyar – No.75, Dhanalakshmi Ave, near Nalli Silks, Kasturba Nagar, Adyar, Chennai – 600020
– Alwarpet – G-2, Sir Usman Court, No.63, Eldams Road, Opp. Punjab National Bank, Chennai – 600018
– Ambattur – No.426/469, MM Tower, MTH Road, Opp. Rakki Cinemas, Behind Axis Bank, Chennai – 600053
– Nanganallur – No.14, 2nd Main Road, Ram Nagar, Near Anjaneyar Temple, Opp. Sidney Hospital, Chennai – 600061
– Tambaram (West) – No.21, Duraisamy Reddy Street, Next to Passport Office, Chennai – 600045
– Velachery – No.26/15, Sai Ram Complex, 100-ft Road, next to Dr. Batra’s, Vijaya Nagar, Chennai – 600042
👉 Book a consultation today: [appointment.eljayhearing.com](https://appointment.eljayhearing.com/)
From Mylapore’s markets to Mount Road’s traffic, Chennai’s everyday sounds are shaping the hearing health of its residents. While the city’s vibrant atmosphere is something we cherish, ignoring the health risks of constant noise exposure can lead to permanent hearing damage.
The good news? With expert care, modern technology, and lifestyle changes, you can protect your hearing while still enjoying everything Chennai has to offer.
At Eljay Hearing Centre, we’ve helped thousands of Chennai residents overcome hearing challenges, manage tinnitus, and live fuller, quieter lives.