Fishing is one of the oldest professions. It is important an occupation for the coastal population of karaikal. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) in a population of fishermen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an OPD based clinical study, 63 fishermen (Mean age-37.55), between 30 and 50 years of age, underwent otorhinolaryngologic evaluation, and hearing assessment through pure tone audiometry. RESULTS: Headache was the most common presenting symptom (n-18, 38.09%) followed by hearing loss (n-18, 28.57%) and tinnitus (n-12, 19.04%). CONCLUSIONS: The most evident neurotological symptoms were headache, hearing loss and tinnitus. Audiometric screening must become mandatory. Noise is an exposure that not only causes hearing loss, but also acts as a stressor. Intervention at early stages is helpful in preventing the progression of NIHL.