'Awareness on hearing loss important as early treatment possible with timely intervention'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 07 2020:
The National Programme for Prevention & Control of Deafness (NPPCD), State Health Society, National Health Mission, Manipur organised "National Awareness Campaign with Hearing Screening" today.
The campaign was launched during the World Hearing Day observance at Regular English High School in Kwakeithel Heinou Khongnembi today, on the theme, "Hearing for Life: Don't let hearing loss limit you" .
Regular English High School Managing Committee Chairman L Biren, Directorate of Health Services, Manipur Additional Director (MC) Dr P Shyamsunder and Government Deaf and Mute School, Takyel Headmistress N Kalpana graced the function as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Addressing the keynote, NPPCD SNO Dr T Manihar informed that a large number of people suffer from deafness/hearing impaired problems, which is second only to depression.
He claimed that 4666 million people in the world (comprising 5 % of the total population) and 63 million people in the country (comprising 6.5 % of the total population) have hearing problems.
The number is even higher among children, with age below 0 to 14 years, and in developing countries, he added.
Saying that timely and effective interventions can treat/restore people with hearing loss, Manihar went on to stress the importance of raising awareness on hearing loss problems to the public.
He conveyed that the National Awareness Campaign with Hearing Screening will be conducted across the State through the levels of district headquarters, Gram Sabha, ADC and community health care sub-centres till March 17.Underlining the importance of public and societal support in decreasing hearing loss problems in the State, he asked all to remove misconceptions and discriminations against hearing impaired people.
He also appealed all not to feel shy of putting hearing aid devices and consulting doctors whenever they have any hearing issue.
The NPPCD SNO further advised all pregnant mothers to take utmost care during pregnancy and urged parents not to forget hearing test for their new born children before getting discharged from hospitals.