There are certain disabilities which doesn’t comes into our notice immediately, one such disability is Hearing Impairment. Globally 360 million people which mean 5% of the world population is living with hearing impairment. In this 360 million people 32 million are children.
In India 6.3% of population suffers from hearing and speech impairment which include 50 lakhs of children among the whole population.
To make people more aware and educate about this problem, 3rd March is being celebrated as World Hearing Day, to make people more aware about the preventive measures on hearing impairment and also to promote ear and hearing care all across the globe. Every year WHO selects a specific theme for the day and this year the theme for the day is “HEAR THE FUTURE.” The main aim of the day is to provide the basic necessities, rehabilitation services and various communication tools and other products to the people who are living up with hearing impairment.
Modern day lifestyle is one of the major reasons leading to hearing impairment. Excessive use of mobile phones, head phones, ear pods, to medications to construction site noise, these all are adding up to growing incidents of hearing problems. According to medical science, 45 years is the expected age for hearing impairment issues but these days the people who are under the age of 30 years are experiencing this problem.
As per World Health Organization, in young children, hearing impairment affects the communication process, their social-emotional development, academic outcomes and later on vocational opportunities. It has been observed that hearing impairment cases are on hike in developing countries.
Doctors have categorized deafness into 2 categories such as nerve deafness and conductive deafness. Nerve Deafness is majorly caused are the problems caused during the birth or happens due to noise pollution, whereas Conductive Deafness is generally caused by the various socio-economic factors which includes poor hygiene, lack of treatment, leading to chronic infection and deafness.
People who are living with hearing impairment problem are trapped between silence and social stigma. They find it quite difficult to compete with normal people when it comes to education, employment, when it’s about socializing with other people, etc.
Eventually the world has it equal share of individuals who have won the battle of disability and has come up with a victory. One of the great and known inventors, Thomas Alva Edison, lost his hearing sense but took it as an advantage as it increases his concentration power. Marlee Matlin a famous deaf actor who won Oscar award for Best Actress for her performance in the movie – Children of a Lesser God. In India, badminton player Rajeev Bagga, who has won 12 gold medals in Deaflympic and the story of achievement by deaf people, goes on.
So, on this World Hearing Day, let’s take a step ahead to stand with the people who are living with hearing impairment disorder, and make them believe that they are no different from us.
Metro Group of Hospitals is committed towards empowering people with hearing related education and top-of-the line specialists and technology for the screening and treatment of hearing impairment patients.
