Hearing impairment, if detected early, can be treated, says doctor

Mysuru: ‘World Hearing Day’ was observed recently at Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMC&RI) Seminar Hall under the aegis of District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, District Health and Family Welfare Department, District Hearing Impairment Control and Prevention Division, and Indian Medical Association (IMA), Mysuru.  

Inaugurating the programme, Dr. Veenapaani, Head of ENT Department, MMC&RI said that most of the elderly persons suffering from hearing loss are susceptible to depression. She also said that symptoms of hearing impairment, which affects persons irrespective of age, if detected early, can be treated though not completely and there is a possibility of minimising  its severity.

She also said that everyone should take good care of their ears and if having any symptoms should be tested, as anybody, from newborn to elderly, can be affected by deafness.  

Dr. Muddasir Aziz Khan of MMC&RI said that taking good care of ears is as important as eye-care and leads to a better life. Society should be aware about dire consequences of hearing impairment. District Family Welfare Officer Dr. Mohammed Siraj Ahmed informed that the theme of this year’s ‘World Hearing Day’ was ‘Check your Hearing’ as by 2050, one in ten persons could suffer from hearing loss according to an estimate.

Dr. Leela Tejaswini, Audiologist, in her keynote address, said that WHO has advocated to observe ‘World Hearing Day’ on Mar.3 and presently 46.6 crore persons in the world and 6.6 crore persons in India are suffering from hearing impairment. Serious efforts must be taken to troubleshoot this problem, which has become a challenge and prevention should be our priority in our society, she added.

Prior to this programme, doctors, students and nurses of MMC&RI and others took out rally to create awareness among the public on hearing health. IMA Vice President Dr. Suresh Rudrappa, Officer, Officer, District Cholera Control Task Force Dr. K Umesh, Principal, MMC&RI Dr. Dakshayani, ENT doctors Dr. B. Y. Praveen Kumar, Dr. Satish and others were present.