‘Hearing care for all – screen, rehabilitate, communicate’

World Hearing Day – 03 March 2021

By Dr Sithara Dissanayake

(Scientific Secretary – CORLHNS) Consultant ENT Surgeon/Senior lecturer, Faculty of Medical Sciences,University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

(On behalf of the College of Otorhinolaryngologists and Head and Neck surgeons of Sri Lanka)

The World Health Organization has declared 3rd of March as the World Hearing Day since 2016. The main aim of commemorating this day is to raise awareness of preventable hearing loss and promote proper ear care. The theme for 2021 is “Hearing care for all – screen, rehabilitate, communicate”. The year 2021 also marks the launch of the first world report on hearing. This shows that 360 million people suffer from disabling hearing loss worldwide, out of which 32 million are children. Further to, it shows chronic ear infections and exposure to loud noise as major causes for hearing loss. Therefore, the World Health Organization has called for help globally to detect and provide care for people with hearing loss, despite the age. Thus, the College of Otorhinolaryngologists and Head Neck Surgeons of Sri Lanka decided to join hands with the WHO to educate the Sri Lankan public.

We would like to increase public awareness as follows:

Communication is a human right and an integral part of social relationships. Hearing is of paramount importance for good communication. In children, lack of hearing would lead to delay in speech and development. Hence, people should appreciate that hearing and communication are necessary, irrespective of age.

The world report on hearing shows that the leading cause of hearing loss is chronic ear infections. It further emphasizes that noise is a major avoidable cause for hearing loss. There are multiple measures that can be taken in order to prevent chronic ear infections. Prompt treatment of acute ear infections, Influenza/Pneumococcal vaccination, breastfeeding during the first year of life, avoiding active, passive smoking and good hygiene are amongst measures proven to prevent development of chronic ear infections.

Industrialization of the world has increase the exposure of people to loud noises, whilst, it may be unavoidable to work in a noisy environment, exposure to loud noises can be prevented by using noise cancelling ear protective equipment. Once hearing is affected it is difficult to restore hearing to normal levels. Therefore, the general public should be aware of preventable causes of hearing loss.

The time of presentation to the healthcare provider is also a crucial factor in determining the prognosis of certain ear conditions. For example, patients with sudden onset hearing loss, as a result of weakening of the nerve involved in hearing needs prompt medication including injections to ear. Literature shows delay in starting these treatments would lead to lesser chance of recovery of hearing. Accordingly, problems in the ear, especially hearing loss requires urgent medical attention.

Another key message to the public is to get tested if you are at risk of developing hearing loss. People working in noisy environment should get their hearing tested at regular intervals.

Finally, we would like to appeal to people to seek care from health care providers if they are suffering from any hearing loss. There are multiple methods of restoring hearing such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, etc. The technology involved in hearing aids in terms of the quality of sound and cosmetic appearance is rapidly advancing, enabling multiple customizing features. Hence, no individual should struggle with hearing disability, irrespective of age.