Changing Mindsets: Empower Yourself!

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By 2030, over 500 million people are expected to have disabling hearing loss requiring rehabilitation. Over one billion young people face the risk of permanent hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud sounds during recreational pastimes such as listening to music and video game play. Many of us take our hearing for granted. Hearing is one of our most essential senses, facilitating communication and connection with the world around us. The impacts of hearing loss are extensive and can be weighty. They include a loss of the ability to communicate with others, delayed language development in children, which can lead to social isolation, loneliness and frustration, particularly among older people with hearing loss. Unattended hearing loss in children can impact their academic performance and options for employment. Regrettably, children with hearing loss and deafness in developing countries rarely receive any schooling. The World Health Organization (WHO) adds that unaddressed hearing loss costs the global economy US$ 980 billion annually due to health sector costs (excluding the cost of hearing devices), costs of educational support, loss of productivity and societal costs. Disabling hearing loss refers to hearing loss greater than 35 decibels (dB) in the better hearing ear. Nearly 80% of people with disabling hearing loss live in low- and middle-income countries. The prevalence of hearing loss increases with age, among those older than 60 years; over 25% are affected by disabling hearing loss. It is for this reason the observance of World Hearing Day is important. World Hearing Day observed on March 3 is an annual global advocacy event for raising awareness regarding hearing loss and promoting ear and hearing care, and calling for action to address hearing loss and related issues. Each year, this event covers a specific theme. This year’s theme is “Changing Mindsets: Empower Yourself!” This campaign aims to inspire behaviour change to protect hearing from loud sounds, prevent hearing loss, check hearing regularly, use hearing devices if needed, and support those living with hearing loss. Empowered individuals can drive change within themselves and in society at large. Noise Pollution. Unfortunately, many of us live in societies where noise pollution has been normalized. The Caribbean is particularly susceptible. In fact, Guyana's Presidential Commission for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD’s) has made a call for more action from the authorities to address and clamp down on loud music in minibuses and communities, noting that this noise nuisance is one of the main causes of hearing loss. In a statement on the occasion of World Hearing Day, the commission noted that noise nuisance is a chronic problem in Guyana. “One of the main causes of hearing loss is exposure to loud noise. This environmental factor has been a chronic problem in Guyana. While we have had interventions to address loud music in minibuses and from various community activities, such as from bars, these have been only partially effective. The Commission urges that the authorities implement the policies with greater vigilance,”. In the Americas, the WHO estimates that 210 million people live with hearing loss. In Jamaica, researchers estimate that between 7,500 and 200,000 persons live with hearing loss. Exposure to heavy sound systems in buses is a recurring issue in many societies. There is also the problem of night noise which occurs across the landscape. These cited instances negatively impact hearing health. Importantly, the WHO launched two major initiatives on World Hearing Day. These are a new global standard for safe listening in video game play and e-sports and a school module on smart listening, for inclusion into educational programmes. Rehabilitation for Hearing Loss. The costs of untreated hearing loss can be rather extensive and impacts the financial, physical, and mental well-being of the individual. Hearing loss may also increase mortality, as well as one’s risk of dementia, falls, depression, anxiety, and other psychosocial disorders. Rehabilitation helps people with hearing loss to function at their optimum, which means they can be as independent as possible in everyday activities. Specifically, rehabilitation helps them to participate in education, work, recreation and meaningful roles, for example in their families or communities, throughout their lives. Interventions for rehabilitation for people with hearing loss include: the provision of, and training in the use of, hearing technologies, for example, hearing aids, cochlear implants and middle ear implants); speech and language therapy to enhance perceptive skills and develop communication and linguistic abilities. The world can be very unkind to those among us with hearing loss. Oftentimes, such individuals are referred to by demeaning names that attack their dignity and personhood. The State also has a major role to play in ensuring that the citizenry are protected from unwanted levels of noise. This can be done through legislative measures and monitoring. The Health and Wellness Ministry in collaboration with the Jamaica Association for the deaf continue to work together to bring awareness to the public about ear and hearing health. Let us therefore empower ourselves while we empower others concerning the importance of safeguarding our hearing and promoting hearing health for all. Your hearing is irreplaceable. Protect it today. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #hearinghealth

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