HMC raises ear care, hearing preservation awareness to mark World Hearing Day 

Under the theme "Changing mindsets: Let's make ear and hearing care a reality for all", the Audiology and Balance Unit at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has organised awareness activities to celebrate World Hearing Day.HMC said in a statement Saturday that these events focused on identifying the causes of hearing loss, preventive measures, diagnostic tests, and treatment options, adding that more than 300 people participated in the educational and learning campaign about the causes and preventive measures of hearing loss held across medical facilities in the country.Dr. Khaled Abdulhadi, Consultant, Audiology and Balance Medicine and Head of the Audiology and Balance Unit at HMC, explained that hearing loss can result from various factors throughout different life stages.Factors contributing to hearing loss include genetic factors, maternal infections during pregnancy such as German measles and cytomegalovirus, birth complications, neonatal asphyxia, neonatal jaundice, low birth weight, chronic ear infections, fluid accumulation in the middle ear, meningitis, and other infections. In adolescence and adulthood, chronic diseases and age-related sensory neural hearing loss are common causes. Daily factors contributing to hearing loss include earwax accumulation, loud noise exposure, poor nutrition, viral infections, and others."Approximately 28,000 people undergo screening for hearing loss and impairment in Qatar annually, with 384 patients having undergone cochlear implant surgery, and hearing aids provided to around 10,000 patients," Dr. Abdulhadi said.He emphasized the importance of taking proactive measures to ensure good ear health and hearing which include practicing good maternal and child care; providing advice related to genetics and early detection of common ear diseases; offering appropriate treatment; implementing specialized programs to preserve hearing in cases of frequent exposure to noise and chemicals; adopting safe listening strategies to minimize exposure to loud sounds in recreational environments; and using medications cautiously and under medical supervision to prevent hearing loss caused by certain drugs.The Audiology and Balance Unit at HMC provides unparalleled services to patients with hearing loss, especially children, surpassing those offered by top specialized centers worldwide. The unit is equipped with state-of-the-art devices and employs highly trained staff with high efficiency to ensure the best possible level of healthcare for patients.Recent reports from the WHO indicate more than five percent of the global population - around 430 million people - require intervention to address hearing loss causing auditory impairment, including 34 million children. Estimates suggest that by 2050, more than 700 million people worldwide - or one in every 10 - will suffer from hearing loss according to the same source."