DC calls for timely diagnosis of hearing loss
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 29 2023:
National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPCD), District Health Society Imphal East organised a National Hearing Awareness Campaign on the theme of 'Ear and Hearing care for all' at Panchayat Bhavan, Porompat on Wednesday.
Speaking as the chief guest, Imphal East DC Diana Khumanthem pointed out that hearing loss can happen at any given moment and as such, there is the need for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Children could suffer from hearing loss after getting injured while playing.
Thus, children need to be taught to intimate their parents immediately in case such injury occurs.
Stating that there also cases of suffering from hearing impairment since birth, she said pregnant women need to take precautionary measures to minimise chance of such ailments.
The DC then urged the attending students to impart what they have learned during the campaign to their families and friends.
Diana also mentioned about hearing loss due to old age and urged all concerned to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of the elders.
Once the society understands the importance of doing so, it can move forward towards the future, she stressed.
In his speech as the guest of honour, JNIMS Otorhinolaryngology head Dr P Dhakeshwor informed that out of 100 people, 6.5 percent suffer from hearing impairment.
There are many hearing-impaired people in the country.
Thus, there is the need to spread mass awareness on how to prevent hearing loss and how to treat those who have hearing impaired from birth, he maintained, while adding that huge number of hearing aids have been distributed in the state till date.
He said that the speech ability of a child depends on his hearing and also the level of intelligence.
Just as a newborn receives three rounds of vaccines within 6 months, there is the need to assess the hearing of the baby during the same period.
If the hearing level is low, a hearing aid could be use to allow the child to become accustom to the device from a young age.
Dr Dhakeshwar continued that if the child is born with hearing problem, then an operation could be done to restore the hearing ability.
JNIMS has already conducted over 50 such operations, the expenses for which are funded by the government.
He then urged all concerned to come to the hospital if they suffer any injury in their ears for necessary treatment.
Presided over by Imphal East CMO Dr Lourembam Indira, the campaign was attended by Government Deaf and Mute School headmistress Nongmaithem Kalpana as guest of honour.
As part of the awareness campaign, essay and drawing competitions were organised for the students in the morning.