Fit & Proper: Ways of preventing hearing loss

Your weekly health guide by Milind Kirtane

Imagine living in a world of silence where you are unable to hear the softest of sounds of everyday life. That is how life can be for many.

A cause of concern is that around 5 per cent of the world’s population suffers from hearing loss. World Health Organisation reports indicate that 5 in every 1000 infants are born with or develop disabling hearing loss in early childhood.

Nearly 1 in every 3 people over the age of 65 years is affected with hearing loss. Additionally, a staggering 1.1 billion youngsters are at the risk of hearing loss because of unsafe listening practices like precarious use of ear phones and repeated exposure to noisy environments like music concerts. In India alone, over 63 million people are diagnosed with significant hearing impairment. It is alarming that hearing impairment is the second most common cause of disability after locomotor disability. Hearing loss cannot be identified by sight, thus sadly remains one of the most ignored conditions.

Almost 50 per cent of hearing loss can be prevented by public health initiatives like immunisation, early intervention and healthy ear care habits. Newborn hearing screening can help early diagnosis in kids and provide corrective measures.

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) has been mandated across most developed countries in the world, which has enabled children with hearing loss to live lives on par with their peers and lead fulfilling lives. India is still in the early stages on hearing screening programmes, owing to low public awareness levels and less emphasis on preventive healthcare. 

Hearing loss risk increases if:

• There is a family history of hearing loss
• Experience a persistent ringing or buzzing sound 
• Certain difficulties in understanding 
• multiple conversations 
• Lip reading and intently watching people’s faces while conversing

How can it be prevented:

• Safe listening on earphones/headphones
• Limit listening time and volume
• Limit time spent in noisy environments 
• Do regular hearing check-ups

Hearing impairment can be managed effectively with the appropriate use of hearing devices. Mild to moderate and moderately severe hearing loss can be taken care of by using hearing aids that make sounds louder. For anyone suffering severe to profound hearing loss, cochlear implants are a great, new-age solution that bypasses the damaged hair cells of the inner ear to provide sound signals directly to the brain. Hearing devices need to be complimented with adequate hearing and speech therapy, that play a pivotal role in achieving the best hearing results. Technology has enabled us to restore hearing ability making it the only replaceable human sense.

The author is Senior ENT Surgeon, PD Hinduja Hospital 

Padma Shri awardee

Next week: Precautions you must take if you have a pacemaker