September is declared as national Month of Deaf People therefore Estcourt Provincial Hospital will be embarking on a Deaf Awareness Campaign.
The aim of the campaign is to increase public knowledge around deafness, promote the rights of deaf people and the deaf culture.
Hearing loss can affect one or both ears, and can lead to difficulty in hearing speech or loud sounds. This can cause a breakdown in communication.
The term ‘hard of hearing’ refers to individuals who have some degree of hearing and may still benefit from a hearing aid and other modes of communication.
‘Deaf’ individuals have very little or no hearing and often use sign language as a mode of communication. An individual can be born with a hearing loss (known as congenital) or obtain a hearing loss at any time during their life (acquired). Hearing loss can affect both children and adults.
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Hearing loss affects all age groups. It is a myth that hearing loss only affects elderly people and is a sign of aging. The majority of people with hearing loss are below the age of 65.
The common causes of hearing loss are as follows:
Chronic ear infections, which can be hereditary, measles/ chicken pox, mumps, collection of fluid in the ear (otitis media), head or ear injury, noise exposure: occupational/leisure noise and, wax or foreign bodies blocking the ear canal. In order to minimise the impact of hearing loss on a child’s development and educational achievements, it is important for early detection and intervention. Children can be assessed from birth onwards for identification of a hearing loss.
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An audiological screening can be used as an effective tool for the early identification and management of hearing loss or other ear-related conditions. Screenings can occur at pre-school level, high school level, as well as in an occupational setting.
Individuals who are diagnosed with a hearing loss can benefit from an amplification device such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone conduction hearing aids; as well speech therapy and aural rehabilitation services.
An individual who is hearing impaired can also communicate through lip-reading skills, use of written or printed text and sign language.
Estcourt Hospital provides the following services related to hearing:
• Hearing screening.
• Diagnostic audiology.
• Aural rehabilitation.
• Hearing aid fittings and orientation.
• Wax management.
You can make a sound investment by getting your hearing tested; call the Estcourt Hospital’s Audiology Department on 036 342 7162 to make an appointment.
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