Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) has called on community members of all ages to keep a track of their hearing and attend regular screenings to monitor their ear health. SEHA marked the occasion of World Hearing Day on March 3 by implementing several initiatives to encourage people of all age groups to take care of their hearing ability. SEHA urged people to take proactive measures to enhance the health of their ears and prevent hearing loss.

This year, World Hearing Day was marked globally under the theme ‘To hear for life, listen with care’ in order to bring awareness about the fact that one in two young people are at risk of hearing loss due to excessive as well as prolonged exposure to loud sounds.

SEHA noted that frequent exposure to high decibels could result in irreversible damage to the sensory cells in a person’s ears. It can further result in noise-induced hearing loss or ringing in the ear (tinnitus).

Raising concerns about the permanent nature of the damage, SEHA stated that only hearing devices and rehabilitation services will be able to help in such cases.

Furthermore, the risk for permanent hearing loss is even higher among people working in noisy areas, for those who regularly listen to music through overhead or earphones, and who frequently visit places with high-pitch music such as clubs and concerts.

However, SEHA experts have confirmed that noise-induced hearing loss is preventable if people take necessary measures to protect ear health.

Dr. Zafeer Ahmed, Acting ENT Chair of Department and ENT Specialist at Ambulatory Healthcare Services, underlined that while noise-induced hearing loss is permanent, it is largely preventable by adapting safe-listening practices. These practices include setting the volume of speakers to 60 percent in maximum, using well-fitted noise-cancelling headphones, wearing earplugs in noisy areas, avoiding sitting too close to the source of the sound, seeking out a quiet nook from time to time, using sound exposure monitoring apps, and investing in devices with built-in safe listening features.

Dr. Ahmed further stressed the need for people to stay aware of any warning signs and get regularly screened.

"There are several self-check apps, such as hear WHO which are convenient. If you notice some signs or fail the self-check, it is best to book an appointment with your family physician or an ENT specialist at SEHA. In addition, we believe that every newborn should undergo examination and screening for hearing allowing for early intervention and improving outcomes," the doctor added.

SEHA has been providing comprehensive curative and preventative services from childbirth to old age to protect hearing among community members. SEHA's Ambulatory Health Services (AHS) and Al Dhafra hospitals also provide paediatric and adult screening and treatment programs and services to enhance ear health. Some of the initiatives include the ‘Well Child’ screening program and the ‘DOH Comprehensive’ screening program for Thiqa holders over 65 years.

SEHA's ENT and audiology clinics at AHS and Al Dhafra hospitals continue to provide comprehensive care to patients such as prescription and follow up of hearing aids, specific care for people of determination, referral to speech therapy, availability of several hearing tests (including pressure hearing tests) and diagnostic services in terms of poor hearing, speech delay, and ear ringing.

At the same time, SEHA provides occupational health screening to people who are working in loud environments. Corniche Hospital also provides advanced neonatology services in terms of quality care for newborns, including a comprehensive screening program.

 SOURCE: Khaleej Times

LINK: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/health/abu-dhabi-hearing-loss-is-preventable-seha-says