HYDERABAD: Hearing an important faculty, is being hit hard by modern-day living. Deafening music played at full volume at public venues, personal audio devices blasting noise through headphones, an ageing population whose hearing is blunted, medications for drug-resistant tuberculosis and malaria which can affect one’s hearing, loud sounds at entertainment venues, and old age, are some of the reasons for the increasing incidence of hearing loss, according to the World Health Organisation. It is estimated that 900 million people will suffer from disabling hearing loss across the world by 2050. It is estimated one in 10 people will suffer from hearing loss, by 2050. Presently, only 5 per cent of the world’s population, or 466 million people, suffer from hearing loss. But this number is going to see a major jump.
Dr S.C. Singh, senior ENT surgeon, explained, “Apart from congenital causes, there are acquired causes like chronic ear infections, injury to the head or ear, exposure to very loud sounds for a prolonged period of time at venues like night clubs and concerts, can have a negative effect on an individual’s hearing.” Problems of deafness also occur with those who are on tuberculosis and malaria medication. We are seeing more of acquired causes rather than congenital causes, he adds. Ageing is also a major factor, where the cells degenerate leading to hearing loss.
Dr Janardhan Rao Jagini, consultant ENT surgeon explained, “Regular evaluation is important for those who are hard of hearing. This helps to identify the problem early and treat it effectively.” In present times, the experts state that those who are above 65 years must get their hearing checked. Those who are working in call centres or whose work is constantly related to talking on mobile phones, are also found to suffer from tinnitus. A lot of young people from the age-group of 25 to 40 years are found to be victims of this problem.
Tinnitus is the perception of noise when it is actually not there. It is found that 90 per cent of these cases suffer from noise-related hearing loss and it requires to be treated properly. The problem of hearing loss is very high in children, with 5 to 6 of every 1,000 live births suffering from this problem and it is very important to evaluate them before they reach two years of age.
