World Health Organisation (WHO), has declared March 3 as World Hearing Day with an aim to create awareness and promote ear and hearing care across the world. The theme for this year is ‘Check Your Hearing’. The theme intends to draw attention to the importance of early identification and Intervention for hearing loss.
Neelu Somani
“Within India we have nearly 100 million people with hearing loss; up from 76.5 million 10 years ago. In fact, our country tops the list of countries with the highest number of people with hearing impairments. World Hearing Day is the ideal opportunity to spread the word about ear and hearing care in people’s mindâ€, said imminent Audiologist Neelu Somani.
Hearing loss is on the rise due to increasing exposure to noise, untreated ear conditions such as otitis media and changing population demographics, Somani said.
Hearing loss in adults can lead to social isolation, emotional and mental dysfunction, less job opportunities, to mention a few. Hearing loss in babies is a neurological emergency. Children who do not hear do not learn to speak.
We would create awareness and spread message urging each individual to go for hearing evaluation. People would also be guided on what steps should be taken to prevent hearing loss and to preserve hearing, Somani informed.