Changing Mindsets:
Let’s make Ear and Hearing Care a Reality for All!
Human beings are blessed to possess sensory organs, eyes, nose, tongue, skin and ears. Ancient scriptures describe them as “Pancha Jnanendriya”. But listening is one ability linked to your ability to talk and hence becomes a critical Jnanendriya. Some are born without the ability to hear (deaf), some become deaf during their lives, many at older age, and some even much before. World Hearing Day is observed on the 3rd of March every year. Nearly one in five people experience some degree of hearing loss. The worrying factor is that these numbers are increasing. The reason for losing hearing ability is noise, a preventable cause. WHO indicates that over 80% of ear and hearing care needs remain unmet globally. Early detection of hearing loss is crucial for its effective rehabilitation. Tools such as the hearWHO app and other technology-based solutions make it possible to screen for ear diseases and hearing loss with limited training and resources. Research is progressing in developing cochlear implants, which help people provide a sense of sound for those born deaf. In India, too much progress is being made to make them reliable and affordable. Humans take things for granted for what they have and are not sensitive to those deprived of them. Ultimately, it is the changing mindsets which is crucial for overcoming disabilities and hearing loss is no exception to the same.
Hearing loss has often been referred to as an “invisible disability”, not just because of the lack of visible symptoms, but because it has long been stigmatised in communities and ignored by policy-makers.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
WHO Director-General
Human beings are blessed to possess sensory organs, eyes, nose, tongue, skin and ears. Ancient scriptures describe them as “Pancha Jnanendriya”. These organs connect one to the outside world and perceive things. They are aptly described as Jnanendriya in our ancient scriptures. The ability to hear is linked to your ability to communicate. Those who are born without the sense of ability to listen cannot talk (voice). It can be debated which of the five sensory organs is important. Needless to say, they are all essential to complete your life. But listening is one ability linked to your ability to talk and hence becomes a critical Jnanendriya. Some are born without the ability to hear (deaf), some become deaf during their lives, many at older age, and some even much before. There are many reasons for this.
The World Report on Hearing presents the need for action to alleviate hearing loss. World Hearing Day is observed on the 3rd of March every year. It was held for the first time in 2015 after being rechristened as “World Hearing Day” from what used to be called “International Ear Care Day”. The observation of the same started way back in 2007. The release of the World Report on Hearing led to the declaration of observation of World Hearing Day. The Office of Prevention of Blindness and Deafness of the World Health Organization (WHO) pilots the observations. It aims to overcome social misperceptions and stigma about hearing loss by providing evidence-based information.
Hearing loss becomes disabling when the hearing loss is >35 decibels (dB). Nearly one in five people experience some degree of hearing loss. The worrying factor is that these numbers are increasing. WHO estimates it at ~2.5 billion people by 2050. 700 million requiring hearing rehabilitation. As always, it is the people from poor societies (countries) who are impacted more by any disability, and hearing loss is no exception. Almost 80% of people with disabling hearing loss live in low- and middle-income countries. Most people with hearing impairment do not have access to treatments. The reason for losing hearing ability is noise, which is a preventable cause. Public health efforts can help prevent over 60% of hearing loss cases concerning children. WHO indicates that over 80% of ear and hearing care needs remain unmet globally.
Fostering inclusivity can be achieved by being deaf or hard-of-hearing friendly. Ensuring effective communication with individuals who are hard of hearing is necessary. At schools, teachers need to be sensitive to the needs of children with hearing disability needs and take the steps required to help them. One of the things teachers can do is to check whether hearing disability is the cause for their not doing well in school. Learning the national sign language of your country by attending courses provided by deaf sign language teachers. At workplaces, educate the staff about the importance of accommodating individuals who are hard of hearing. Foster an environment where colleagues feel comfortable discussing their hearing/visual needs.
Early detection of hearing loss is crucial for managing it effectively. Protecting your ears from loud noises. Practicing safe listening habits is essential. Highlight the need for affordable and accessible hearing tests and treatment options. Combating stigma is by addressing negative perceptions about people with hearing loss. Depiction of people with disabilities in the movies and making fun of them makes the stigma deep-rooted in people. The hesitation in using hearing aids, which have become sleeker and almost not visible, is due to the way we receive people with disabilities, especially people who are short of hearing.
This year, the theme of observation is ear and hearing care for all, and it focuses on ensuring access to help in the form of hearing care services for all who need it. Early detection of hearing loss is crucial for its effective rehabilitation. Tools such as the hearWHO app and other technology-based solutions make it possible to screen for ear diseases and hearing loss with limited training and resources.
Using hearing induction loop and frequency modulation (FM) systems to ensure smoother communication for children using hearing aids or implants is another way of minimising hearing difficulty. Research is progressing in developing cochlear implants, which help people provide a sense of sound for those born deaf. In India, too much progress is being made to make them reliable and affordable.
Humans take things for granted for what they have and are not sensitive to those deprived of them. Ultimately, it is the changing mindsets which is crucial for overcoming disabilities and hearing loss is no exception to the same. The involvement of individuals and communities makes it possible to raise awareness about the importance of ear and hearing care.
Toons: Reema
Logs: M Sai Baba
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