Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all this World Hearing Day
World Hearing Day is celebrated today, March 3, and is dedicated to ear care.
“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.” – This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
World Hearing Day is celebrated annually on March 3.
The theme for this year’s World Hearing Day is ‘Changing Mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all!’
WHO said that not enough attention is placed on hearing loss and ear diseases. “This year, the day will focus on overcoming the challenges posed by societal misperceptions and stigmatising mindsets through awareness-raising and information-sharing, targeted at the public and healthcare providers.
Also read: Gillitts Primary and Fulton School for the Deaf come together to celebrate World Hearing Day
The organisation pointed out that the first of two key challenges in ear and hearing care is the lack of health-system capacity for the provision of integrated ear and hearing care throughout people’s lives, as evidenced by a lack of policies, human resources and dedicated finances.
The second key challenge relates to misperceptions and stigmatising mindsets about hearing loss and ear diseases, which are deeply ingrained within societies and often limit the success of efforts to improve hearing care.
“Changing mindsets related to ear and hearing care is crucial for improving access and mitigating the cost of unaddressed hearing loss.
“The organisation prompted governments to take steps to integrate ear and hearing care within primary healthcare, to implement community-based approaches that bring services close to people, and to lead initiatives to raise awareness and mitigate stigma related to hearing loss.
“Healthcare providers must also play their role by ensuring they give due attention and care to people with common ear and hearing problems. Civil society groups, parents, teachers and physicians can use WHO’s awareness materials and community resources to inform people about the importance of ear and hearing care.”
For more information on hearing and hearing health, call the Hearing Help Line on 0861 10 20 30.
Below is a list of the Dos and Don’ts of caring for your hearing:
THE DOs
– Clean the outer part of your ear with a soft cloth.
– Go to a doctor or healthcare worker in case of ear pain, discharge or any difficulty in hearing.
– Only use medicines prescribed by a healthcare worker or doctor.
– Use earplugs in noisy places to protect your hearing.
DON’T
– Put cotton buds, hopi candles, sticks and oils inside your ear.
– Swim or wash in dirty water.
– Share earphones or earplugs with others.
– Listen to loud sounds or music.
For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
