To address the widespread prevalence of undiagnosed and untreated hearing loss compounded by limited accessibility to hearing-related services, integrated people-centred ear and hearing care initiatives have been accelerated in parts of India.
In Mysuru, 1108 primary school children from 32 schools were screened for hearing loss by All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) in collaboration with Karnataka state government and World Health Organization (WHO). The mass screening aimed at raising awareness about the importance of early diagnosis to promote hearing health as a run-up to World Hearing Day 2024 themed ‘Changing mindsets: let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all!’
A student undergoing ear and hearing screening at a government school in Mysuru, Karnataka.
Photo: Anshu Shekhar Roy / © WHO India
Early identification of hearing loss enables timely interventions, thus mitigating the adverse effects on children's academic, social and emotional development. Screening conducted at the community level fosters community engagement, removes stigma and improves accessibility to services for early case detection from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
“The hearing screening programme was conducted at 32 government schools in Mysuru with the support of Board of Education. Over 1100 students were screened and teachers were sensitized about the ear and hearing care,” said Prof. M. Pushpavathi, Director, AIISH, which focuses on human resource development, research, clinical care and public education on communication disorders.
Over 1.5 billion people live with ear problems and hearing loss globally. Another one billion young people worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices, according to WHO estimates. Around 50% people using personal audio devices do so at levels that put their hearing at risk, particularly while using earbuds or headphones during their daily commute in public transport and other noisy public environments.
A trained audiologist from All India Institute of Speech and Hearing conducting ear and hearing screening at a government school in Mysuru. Photo: Anshu Shekhar Roy / © WHO India
Trained audiologists and ear, nose and throat surgeons conducted comprehensive tests to assess the ear and hearing health of the children using Pure Tone Audiometry tests. Of the 1108 children screened, 212 were identified with ear and hearing disorders and referred to AIISH for treatment.
Manasagangothri Primary School has given admission to 30 students with hearing impairment referred by AIISH, which has also trained teachers on early identification of speech and hearing issues in children. “Studying and interacting with peers in a regular classroom leads to social integration and removal of stigma. Teachers and peers help children with special needs better understand and participate in the lessons and activities in the classroom,” Ms Padma P.R., Headmistress, Manasagangothri Primary School, Mysuru.
Students being registered for ear and hearing screening at Manasagangothri Primary School Mysuru under an All India Institute of Speech and Hearing initiative supported by Kanataka state government and WHO. Photo: Anshu Shekhar Roy / © WHO India
“All levels of governments, policy makers, civil society and health professionals must collaborate to improve access to ear and hearing care by acting to integrate ear and hearing care services into health systems through well-informed and trained health care providers across the continuum of care. As individuals, we must address misconceptions regarding ear and hearing problems,” said Dr Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative to India.
Effective strategies for ear care and reducing hearing loss at different stages of life course include immunization; good maternal and childcare practices; genetic counselling; identification and management of common ear conditions; occupational hearing conservation programmes for noise and chemical exposure; safe listening strategies for the reduction of exposure to loud sounds in recreational settings; and rational use of medicines to prevent ototoxic hearing loss.
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