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By Josfyn Uba
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that around 135 million people across Africa suffer from ear problems, with approximately 10 million individuals in Nigeria experiencing disabling hearing loss in a recently published report.
Confirming this development recently in Lagos while speaking to Daily Sun, an Audiologist/member of WHO World Hearing Forum and Medical Director of NigerBell Speech & Hearing Centre, Dr. Barnabas Vangerwua, stated “Nigerians are daily, being exposed to many things that are detrimental to their hearing, some of which include excessive noise, certain medical conditions, ageing and genetic factors.”
Vangerwua noted that “while some types of hearing loss can be prevented by protecting our ears from loud noises using earplugs or earmuffs, reducing the volume on personal audio devices, and getting regular hearing tests, age-related hearing loss may be unavoidable. However, noise-induced hearing loss is largely preventable with consistent ear protection.
He listed the following as the some of the major causes of hearing loss: Age-related hearing loss (a natural part of ageing where the inner ear’s ability to process sound declines); Noise-induced hearing loss (caused by prolonged or sudden exposure to loud sounds from sources like concerts, power tools, or loud machinery).
He also said that certain health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and some viral or bacterial infections could lead to hearing loss Medication side effects while some drugs, including certain antibiotics and high doses of aspirin, can damage hearing. Other factors like head injuries, genetic factors, and tumours can also affect hearing.
Hearing loss is an impairment of the ear’s ability to process sound. It can range from mild (missing soft sounds) to profound (complete deafness) often caused by so many factors.
However, according to Vangerwua, all hope is not lost. In his words “You must protect your ears from
loud noise by avoiding or limiting time spent in noisy environments; use of earplugs or earmuffs in noisy situations, such as concerts, using power tools, or operating a lawnmower; turning down the volume on personal music players, televisions, and other devices; when wearing headphones or earbuds, ensure you can still hear conversations around you and take breaks after an hour of continuous listening; practicing safe listening habits by moving away from loudspeaker sources of noise.”
He admonished people against inserting objects like cotton swabs into the ears. “The ears must be kept dry to prevent infections that could lead to hearing damage,” he stated.
He recommended monitoring the hearing by undergoing hearing tests regularly, especially those who work in a noisy environment and those who are concerned about their hearing. He advised consulting a doctor immediately for any ear problems or sudden hearing changes, while maintaining overall health and keeping chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure under control, as they can impact hearing.
