360 million people, representing 5.3% of the world’s population
are affected by disabling hearing loss. At least half of all cases of hearing
loss are avoidable through primary prevention, including healthy ear care
practices. And also managing common ear disorders.
In order to raise awareness about the prevalence, preventability and public
health impact of ear diseases and hearing loss, International Ear Care Day will
be observed tomorrow. This year, the theme for the day is Ear care can avoid
hearing loss.
There are many reasons that can lead to hearing loss and deafness. Most of
these causes are avoidable or manageable.
Chronic ear infection, especially chronic otitis media which commonly presents
as discharging ears, is a leading cause of hearing loss in children. In certain
cases, this condition can also lead to serious, life-threatening complications,
such as brain abscesses or meningitis. The prevalence of chronic ear infection
is high in South-East Asia including Bangladesh. However, otitis media is
largely preventable and can be effectively managed through medical and surgical
approaches.
Infectious diseases such as meningitis, measles and mumps can also lead to
hearing loss, mostly in childhood, but also later in life. Vaccine can prevent
most of these infections.
Some causes of childhood hearing loss are congenital (present at or acquired
soon after birth). It can be caused by certain complications during pregnancy
and childbirth, including maternal rubella, syphilis or certain other
infections during pregnancy, birth asphyxia (a lack of oxygen at the time of
birth); inappropriate use of certain ototoxic drugs during pregnancy and severe
jaundice in the neonatal period can damage the hearing nerve in a newborn
infant.
Excessive noise, including working with noisy machinery, and exposure to loud
music or other loud noises, such as gunfire or explosions can harm a person’s
hearing. It is a major avoidable cause of permanent hearing loss worldwide that
can be completely preventable through awareness.
Hearing loss is highly prevalent and a significant cause for concern in aging
population. About one third of people above 65 years of age develop disabling
hearing loss. This age-related hearing loss is called ‘presbyacusis’ which is
caused by degeneration of hearing nerve cells in the ear. It can lead to
exclusion from communication that can have a significant impact on everyday
life, causing a feeling of loneliness, isolation and frustration — particularly
among older people who have hearing loss. It is manageable by simple and
inexpensive hearing aid.
Experts from the World Health Organisation advised 4 simple things to prevent
most ear infections:
• Do not use home remedies in your ears
• Do not insert anything into the ears, not even cotton buds
• If you have a problem with your ears, see a doctor
Source: World Health Organisation
0 comments:
Post a Comment