Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS), a SEHA healthcare facility, is launching initiatives That would mark World Hearing Day. AHS is shedding light on few challenges brought forward by the Covid-19 pandemic, like the use of earphones for a long duration and the communication challenges encountered by people with hearing difficulties. These people make up 20% of the world population as per the World Health Organization.

This year’s World Hearing Day’s theme is “Hearing care for ALL! Screen. Rehabilitate. Communicate.” World Hearing Day 2021, which is observed annually on March 3, showcases the global call for action to address hearing loss and ear diseases in all life stages.

Dr. Omar Al Jabri, Chief Medical Officer at the AHS, said at the occasion, “Every year we observe World Hearing Day highlight the latest issues about hearing and, undoubtedly, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a big impact on all aspects of our life, including hearing. For example, people with hearing difficulties are facing challenges when communicating with others as they are unable to read their lips due to the mask. That is why this year we launched an initiative to provide masks marked with a hearing disability icon to enable healthcare providers to easily recognize people with hearing difficulties and adapt their communication, whether through speaking slowly and more clearly, or repeating, or communicating through writing.”

He added, “We were also delighted this year to surprise four of our patients with hearing aids presented to them in collaboration with Touch of Health.”

Dr. Zafeer Ahmad, Chair of the ENT Department at AHS, stated, “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are using earphones for prolonged periods to communicate with family and friends and to attend virtual meetings, which increases the risk of developing hearing loss. That is why we organized an awareness campaign to educate our patients on techniques to reduce this risk, such as avoiding increasing the volume to cover up outside noise and shifting to a room with less noise in the background, setting the volume to a maximum of 50% or less, and using earphones in both ears to hear better. We also advise people to refrain from using earphones, if they have excessive ear wax.”

“As a part of the campaign, we also educate patients on the symptoms of hearing loss and the importance of regular check-ups. Parents are also advised to monitor their children’s response to sounds and their speech and understanding abilities, and raise their concern to their family physician or pediatrician to identify and diagnose any issues early,” Dr. Ahmad added.

The AHS offers comprehensive hearing diagnostic and curative services across its ENT clinics network. Additionally, the AHS provides audiology booth diagnostic services at Madinat Mohamed bin Zayed, Al Zafaranah Diagnostic & Screening Centre in Abu Dhabi, and Al Hili and Oud Al Touba Diagnostic & Screening Centre in Al Ain. Specialized occupational hearing clinics are available in Al Madina Occupational Healthcare Centre in Abu Dhabi and the Occupational Health Clinic in the Disease Prevention & Screening Centre in Al Ain.

WAM