Table of Contents
“The human ear is an incredible instrument, capable of detecting an astonishing range of sounds” – Neil deGrasse Tyson
“Hearing is the sense that gives us the ability to connect with the world around us”.
INTRODUCTION
World Hearing Day is a global healthcare event celebrated every 3rd March to create awareness and promote ear and hearing care. This year’s celebration was under the theme, changing mindset: empower yourself, make ear and hearing care a reality for all.
Ear and hearing care have become a major concern despite the importance of ear and hearing care. Many individuals neglect to prioritize their ear health. This can be due to a variety of factors, including a lack of awareness, limited access to ear and hearing care services, and societal stigma surrounding hearing loss. As a result, many individuals suffer from untreated ear and hearing problems, which can lead to serious complications.
Changing our mindset towards ear and hearing care is crucial for empowering individuals to prioritize their ear health. This requires a shift in our cultural and societal attitudes towards ear and hearing care, recognizing that ear health is an integral part of our overall health and well-being.
Empowering individuals to take control of their ear health requires a multifaceted approach. This includes:
– Education and awareness: providing individuals with the knowledge and skills to prioritize their ear health.
– Access to ear and hearing care services: ensuring that individuals have access to ear and hearing care services, including hearing tests, ear exams, and hearing aids.
-Support and resources: providing individuals with the support and resources they need to manage ear and hearing problems, including counseling, support groups, and assistive listening devices. Learn more
THE EAR
The ear is a complex organ that enables hearing and balance. It detects, transmits, and transduces sounds and maintains balance.
PARTS OF THE EAR:
THE OUTER EAR consists of the pinna, external auditory canal, and tympanic membrane. The outer ear collects and guides the sound waves to the tympanic membrane.
MIDDLE EAR; it is a narrow air-filled cavity containing the ossicles, the eustachian tube
INNER EAR: cochlea, which is the sensory organ for hearing, and the vestibular apparatus, which is also the sensory organ for balancing.
HEARING LOSS
Hearing loss is a reduced ability or total inability to hear. It can be mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe, or profound. It can affect one ear or both.
TYPES
– Conductive hearing loss
– Sensorineural hearing loss
– Mixed hearing loss
STATISTICS
Hearing loss is a widespread issue affecting millions of people worldwide
Approximately 1.5 billion people of the global population experience some degree of hearing loss, with over 430 million requiring rehabilitation to address their disabling hearing loss, including 34 million children. This is set to increase to 2.5 billion, with at least 700 million requiring hearing rehabilitation by 2050.
Globally, 34 million children have deafness or hearing loss, of which 60% of cases are due to preventable causes.
Ghana has a significant prevalence of hearing loss, with estimates suggesting that 16.8% of rural communities and 12.9% of urban areas are affected. This is higher than the global estimate of 5.3%.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Africa alone has about 40 million people with hearing loss, with Ghana contributing to this number. It’s projected that 54 million people in Africa will have disabling hearing loss by 2030, and this will increase to 97 million people by 2050
The Ghana Statistical Service estimates that thousands of children with educationally significant hearing losses have no prospect of having their hearing status checked, which has implications for education
Approximately 30% of people over 60 years of age have hearing LOSS.
INCIDENCE
The incidence of hearing loss in newborns is 2 to 3 per 1000 live births. 1 in 6 adults over the age of 60 has hearing loss.
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS
Can be grouped into two as: congenital and acquired
CONGENITAL
- maternal infections e.g. rubella, human papilloma virus
- prematurity
- birth asphyxia
- low birth weight
- neonatal jaundice
- genetic, e.g. Usher’s syndrome, Waardenburg’s syndrome
- Drug and alcohol use during pregnancy
ACQUIRED
- ear infections: otitis media, otitis externa
- infections, e.g., mumps, measles, meningitis
- ageing
- ototoxic drugs, e.g., chemo drugs (cisplatin), antibiotics (streptomycin), antimalarial (quinine), antihypertensive (diuretics)
- trauma/head injury
- exposure to excessive noise
- tumours in the outer or middle ear
- excessive wax
SYMPTOMS
- muffling of speech and other sounds
- difficulty in understanding speech, especially in a noisy environment or in a crowd
- frequently asking people to repeat themselves
- ringing in the ear
- needing to increase the volume on the TV or radio
- withdrawal from conversations
IMPACT OF HEARING LOSS
- Loss of ability to communicate with others
- Delayed language development in children
- social isolation
- loneliness and frustration
- low academic performance
- Children in developing countries rarely receive any schooling
- Loss of education
- decreased job prospects
PREVENTION
- Ear protection from excessive noise
- Avoid putting objects into the ear to remove earwax
- Prompt treatment of ear infections
- Avoid over-the-counter medication and unknown traditional medication
- have ears tested
MISPERCEPTION ABOUT EAR AND HEARING CARE
- Only older people experience hearing loss: Hearing loss can affect anyone, regardless of age. Exposure to loud noises, ear infections, and certain medications can cause hearing loss in people of all ages.
- Hearing loss is a natural part of aging: while age-related hearing loss is common, it’s not inevitable. Protecting your ears from loud noises and getting regular hearing tests can help prevent or identify hearing loss early, respectively.
- Hearing aids are only for severe hearing loss: Hearing aids can benefit people with mild to moderate hearing loss, not just those with severe hearing loss.
- Using cotton swabs (Q-tips) is safe for cleaning ears: using cotton swabs can push earwax deeper into the ear canal, potentially causing damage or blockages.
- Earwax is dirty and should be removed. Earwax is a natural substance that helps protect the ears from dirt, dust, and bacteria. Removing too much earwax can lead to dry, itchy ears.
- Ear infections are always painful; some ear infections, like middle ear infections, can be painless.
- Loud music is only a problem for musicians: anyone who listens to loud music, attends concerts or festivals, or works with power tools can be at risk for noise-induced hearing loss.
- Hearing protection is only necessary for extremely loud noises: prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels can cause hearing damage.
- Earplugs are uncomfortable and affect sound quality: there are various types of earplugs and earmuffs available that can be comfortable and preserve sound quality.
OUR COMMITMENT
As leaders in healthcare delivery within the district, we remain committed to creating awareness and empowering individuals to care for their ears and hearing. In view of this, the ENT Unit of Tain District Hospital embarked on these exercises to mark World Hearing Day.
Radio talk show: used this medium to empower individuals through education to change the mindset on ear and hearing care.
FREE HEALTH SCREENING: Conducted free ENT screening for early detection and prompt treatment of ear and hearing problems.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: visited some communities within Tain District, including Yabraso, Badu, Nsawkaw, and we look forward to reaching out to places like Seikwa, Debibi to create awareness and also screen communities on ear and hearing.
HEALTH EDUCATION AT NSAWKAW COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
CONCLUSION
Ear and hearing care is essential for maintaining healthy ears and hearing. By taking simple steps, such as avoiding loud noises, cleaning our ears safely, and getting regular hearing tests, we can help prevent ear problems and protect our hearing. Remember, our ears are a vital part of our overall health and well-being, and deserve our care and attention. OUR BLOG PAGE
REFERENCES
Prevaɔence of Deafness and Hearing Loss- World Health Organisation. www.who.int
Global Audiology/ Africa/ Ghana- wikiversity. en.wikiversity.org
Ghana Statistics on Hearing Loss
Reported by:
ASUMADU TAWIAH RICHARD (Otorhinolaryngology Nuse)