Need for early detection, timely treatment of hearing impairment underscored
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 29 2023:
The need for early detection and timely treatment of hearing impairment was highlighted during the National Hearing Awareness campaign held today at the Panchayat Bhavan, Imphal East DC complex, Porompat.
The awareness campaign was organised by the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPCD), District Health Society, Imphal East.
Speaking as the chief guest of the campaign, Imphal East DC Diana Khumanthem maintained that one may experience hearing issues at any stage of life owing to many factors therefore needed precaution should be taken and timely treatment should be done.
With regards to cases of hearing disability among children, she stressed on the need of properly educating the children to inform their parents if they experience any discomfort or problems of hearing to ensure that timely treatment is provided to them to prevent serious outcomes.
Delivering the presidential speech, Imphal East Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Lourembam Indira Devi appealed to the public to avail the benefits of such hearing awareness campaigns which are conducted to prevent hearing disability by taking up proper precautions and timely treatment.
Speaking at the camp, Head of Otorhinolaryngology Department JNIMS, Dr Potsangbam Dhakeshwar said, 'Out of every 100 people, around 6.5 percent suffer from hearing disability.
In a highly populated country like India, the cases of hearing disability are quite high' .
Therefore it is essential to educate the masses about the measures to tackle this serious concern, he added.
Dr Dhakeshwar also maintained that it is important to monitor the growth process of infants to check for hearing disability so that possible treatment and measures can be taken accordingly.
If the child suffers from hearing disability, hearing aids can be used for better hearing and can even go for surgery for its treatment, he added.
Informing that special budget has been allocated by the Government for such surgeries, he appealed to all to avail the benefits of it.
Headmistress of Government Deaf and Mute School, Nongmaithem Kalpana also attended the programme as the guest of honour.
In connection with the programme, an essay and a drawing competition for children was held in the morning and prizes were distributed to the winners.