NEW DELHI: The noise of Diwali may fade after the celebrations, but its effects on health can last much longer. From ringing in the ears and temporary hearing loss to disturbed sleep, anxiety and increased blood pressure, doctors warn that exposure to loud firecrackers can take a toll on both physical and mental well-being, with children particularly vulnerable.Delhi Pollution Control Committee’s latest assessment has found that 19 of the 26 monitored locations recorded higher noise levels this Diwali than last year. None of the 26 areas assessed this year met the standards and all were noisy.Readings ranged from 57.5 to 89.1 dB(A), with Karol Bagh recording the highest level. Sonia Vihar saw the sharpest year-on-year increase of 16.6%.Dr Atul Kumar Mittal, chairman of ENT department at FMRI Gurgaon, said sudden exposure to loud sounds could damage the delicate structures of the inner ear, resulting in temporary or, in severe cases, permanent hearing loss and tinnitus, or ringing in the ears.“Children are particularly vulnerable as their auditory systems are still developing,” he said. Prolonged exposure can also cause sleep disturbances, irritability, difficulty concentrating and increased stress. In children, it may affect learning and academic performance.He advised people to maintain a safe distance from loud firecrackers, avoid bursting them near residential areas and use appropriate ear protection where necessary.The impact of noise goes beyond the ears. Dr Gita Prakash, consultant of internal medicine at Max Hospital, said prolonged exposure to traffic, construction, loudspeakers and firecrackers could increase stress hormones and blood pressure, disturb sleep and cause irreversible hearing loss.“Noise is not just an annoyance, it is also a silent health hazard,” she said, adding that children are especially vulnerable. “Chronic exposure can lead to poor concentration, delayed learning, irritability and disturbed sleep. Even loud toys, television and firecrackers can cause harm,” she said, advising parents to keep volumes low, use hearing protection for children at loud events and ensure quiet time for sleep and study.Dr Neeta Kejriwal, HOD and director of paediatrics department at Pacific OneHealth, New Delhi, said sudden, high-intensity sounds could trigger fear, anxiety, irritability and sleep disturbances in children, while loud bursts might cause acoustic trauma, tinnitus and, in severe cases, permanent hearing damage.Children with autism spectrum disorder and sensory sensitivities may experience heightened distress and sensory overload, she said.Doctors advised that parents should keep children away from firecracker bursts, use hearing protection where necessary and create quiet spaces at home during peak celebrations.The issue is not limited to Diwali as city suffers multiple episodes of noise outbursts year around. TOI reported in Aug how DJs and loudspeakers during religious processions expose Delhiites to prolonged high-volume noise. ENT specialists then warned of similar risks. The latest Diwali readings again underline how noise pollution remains a recurring public-health concern in the city.