And despite the government claims of having put a leash on noisy crackers, the phenomenon, say doctors, which occurs after every Diwali, has not in any way been diminished this time. Says Dr A S Bais, consultant ENT expert, Batra Hospital: "Every year, for at least a few days after Diwali, there are at least 3-5 patients in the OPDs daily who complain of sudden hearing loss. It is no less this year, neither is the air pollution, except may be in select pockets of the city."With the result that there is also a perceptible increase in complaints of sore throat, asthma attacks, upper respiratory tract infections and various other kinds of allergy.

According to Dr Ashok Kumar, head of the department of ENT, Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital: "Smokers are at particular risk at the time of Diwali as they are already more vulnerable to chest infections." But the hearing loss associated with constant exposure to loud noise is possibly the most severe after-effect of Diwali. In fact, says Dr A K Aggarwal, dean and head of the department of ENT, Maulana Azad Medical College, perforation of ear drum, during the rest of the year is a phenomenon restricted to soldiers posted at the border where there is a near-constant exchange of firing, and the chances of a blast happening too close to one’s ear, are very high. "This year, I have seen two kids with perforated ear drums, which is reported only during Diwali,"says Dr Aggarwal.