WORLD HEARING DAY

BY PRIYANKA AGRAWAL
INTRODUCTION

• The World Health Organization (WHO) announced its annual World Hearing Day to be held on March 3, 2022.
with the theme of “ To hear for life, listen with care”
• This theme emphasizes the significance of safe listening in maintaining good hearing throughout life.
• The key messages for World Hearing Day 2022 are:

1. Ear and hearing care can enable good hearing throughout life.
2. Many common causes of hearing loss such as hearing loss caused by loud sound exposure, can be prevented.
3. The risk of hearing loss caused by exposure to recreational sounds can be mitigated by safe listening.
4. Governments, industry partners, and civil society should raise awareness of and employ evidence based
standards that promote safe listening.
PHYSIOLOGY OF HEARING

• Steps: Sound waves

Vibration of tympanic membrane

Vibration of middle ear ossicles

Vibration of oval window

Fluid movement within cochlea

Vibration of Basilar Membrane

Bending of hairs of inner receptor
hair cells of Organ of Corti as
Basilar Membrane movement
displaces these hairs in relation to
the overlying Tectorial Membrane

Graded potential changes

(receptor potential)in receptor
cells

Changes in the rate of action

potentials generated in
Auditory Nerve

Propagation of action
potentials to Auditory
Cortex in Temporal Lobe of
Brain for Sound Perception
HEARING LOSS

• Hearing loss is a very common worldwide problem affecting all age groups and leading to marked
disability and handicap.
• The WHO lists hearing loss in the 20 leading causes of burden of disease and as a most common
cause of disability globally.
• Over 5% of the World’s population or 430 million people require rehabilitation to address their
‘disabling’ hearing loss(432 million adults and 34 million children).
• It is estimated that by 2050 over 700 million people or one in every ten people will have disabling
hearing loss.
• Disabling hearing loss refers to hearing loss greater than 35 Decibels in the better hearing ear.
CLASSIFICATION OF HEARING LOSS

Hearing loss

Organic Non-organic

Psychogenic
Conductive Sensorineural Malingering
Hysterical
CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS:

CONGENITAL HEARING LOSS;

Hereditary causes:
1. Waardenburg’s syndrome (eyes of different color, white forelock, widest eyes and progressive hearing loss)
2. Usher’s syndrome (retinitis pigmentosa)
3. Alport’s syndrome (deafness and kidney disease)
Other causes:
• Congenital cholesteatoma
• Fixation of malleus
• Meatal atresia
• Fixation of stapes footplate
• Ossicular discotinuity
ACQUIRED HEARING LOSS

Conductive Hearing loss:

• Middle Ear infections (Ottitis media)
• Collection of fluid in middle ear (Glue Ear)
• Blockage of outer ear (wax)
• Damage to Ear drum by infection or injury
• Otosclerosis
Sensorineural Hearing Loss:
• Age related hearing loss
• Acoustic trauma
• Viral infections of inner ear
• Meniere’s disease
• Acoustic neuroma
• Multiple sclerosis
SOME SIGNS THAT ONE MAY HAVE HEARING LOSS

• A difficulty hearing and understanding people in noisy environments like a restaurant, a car, a shopping
mall, or outside in a park.
• One feels like people are mumbling all time and ask family, friends, or colleagues to repeat themselves.
• Trouble with hearing people if they aren’t facing the person.
• Distracted easily or have short attention span.
• Turn up the volume on the TV, radio, or personal listening device.
• Trouble following conversations.
• Difficulty hearing callers on cell phone
• Constant ringing, buzzing or hissing sound in the ear
WHY HEARING LOSS IS OFTEN UNADDRESSED?

• Hearing loss is generally a slow and insidious process

• Because deterioration occurs over a long period of time , people become accustomed to
accommodating for the loss and may not realize it’s impact on their life
• Hearing loss sufferers usually wait an average of 5-7 years before seeing a specialist for
help.
 CONSEQUENCES OF UNTREATED HEARING
LOSS
• A recent study by John Hopkins and the National institute on aging found a correlation
between untreated hearing loss and a loss of cognitive function, noting a higher risk of
developing forms of Dementia, such as Alzheimer’s
• Untreated hearing loss can affect a person’s ability to understand speech as well as
negatively impact their social, emotional and physical well being.
• Many hearing loss sufferers self-isolate by withdrawing from family, friends and
colleagues as their frustration grows.
• Incidents of serious depression are higher in those with untreated hearing loss.
PREVENTION:

• Many of the causes that lead to hearing loss can be avoided through public health strategies and clinical interventions implemented across the life course.

• Prevention of hearing loss is essential throughout the life course – from prenatal and perinatal periods to older age. In children, nearly 60% of hearing loss is due
to avoidable causes that can be prevented through implementation of public health measures. Likewise, in adults, most common causes of hearing loss, such as
exposure to loud sounds and ototoxic medicines, are preventable.

• Effective strategies for reducing hearing loss at different stages of the life course include:
1. immunization;
2. good maternal and childcare practices;
3. genetic counselling;
4. identification and management of common ear conditions;
5. occupational hearing conservation programmes for noise and chemical exposure;
6. safe listening strategies for the reduction of exposure to loud sounds in recreational settings; and
7. rational use of medicines to prevent ototoxic hearing loss.
IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT:

• Early identification of hearing loss and ear diseases is key to effective management.
• This requires systematic screening for detection of hearing loss and related ear diseases in those who are most at risk. This includes:
• Newborn babies and infants
• Pre-school and school-age children
• People exposed to noise or chemicals at work
• People receiving ototoxic medicines
• Older adults

• Hearing assessment and ear examination can be conducted in clinical and community settings. Tools such as the WHO “hearWHO” app and other technology-based
solutions make it possible to screen for ear diseases and hearing loss with limited training and resources.
• Once hearing loss is identified, it is essential that it is addressed as early as possible and in an appropriate manner, to mitigate any adverse impact.
• Measures available to rehabilitate people with hearing loss include:
• the use of hearing technologies, such as hearing aids, cochlear implants and middle ear implants;
• the use of sign language and other means of sensory substitution, such as speech reading, use of print on palm or Tadoma, signed communication; and
• rehabilitative therapy to enhance perceptive skills and develop communication and linguistic abilities.

• The use of hearing assistive technology, and services such as frequency modulation and loop systems, alerting devices, telecommunication devices, captioning services
and sign language interpretation, can further improve access to communication and education for people with hearing loss.
WHO RESPONSE

• WHO’s work on ear and hearing care is to promote integrated people-centered ear and hearing care (IPC-EHC).
• WHO’s work is guided by the recommendations of the WHO World report on hearing (2021) and the World Health Assembly resolution on
prevention of deafness and hearing loss.
• WHO’s work includes:
• guide, assist and support Member States to increase awareness on EHC issues;
• facilitate data generation and dissemination of ear and hearing care related data and information;
• providing technical resources and guidance to facilitate planning and health systems capacity building for ear and hearing care;
• supporting heath workforce training in ear and hearing care;
• promoting safe listening to reduce the risk of recreational noise-induced hearing loss through the WHO Make Listening Safe initiative;
• observing and promoting World Hearing Day as an annual advocacy event;
• building partnerships to develop strong hearing care programmes , including initiatives for affordable hearing aids, cochlear implants and services;
• Advocating for ear and hearing care through the World Hearing Forum.
SOME OF THE IMPORTANT PREVENTABLE
CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS IN DEBATE NOW
CAN MOBILE PHONE DAMAGE YOUR HEARING?

• Unlike many medical myths, the sobering truth is that cell phones can cause hearing damage.
• UAMS audiologist Dr. Allison Catlett Woodall says that according to a recent study, cell phone use exceeding 60 minutes per day could result
in lasting damage such as high frequency hearing loss.
• According to the study conducted by the American Academy of Otolaryngology, the electromagnetic waves emitted by the phone caused
damage, and this hearing loss is not necessarily caused by the high volume.
• The ear, especially the inner ear, not only being the closest to the mobile phone, is the direct recipient of the EMR thus making it the most
likely affected organ.
• The delicate hair cells in the organ of Corti does not have regenerative properties, thus damages are often permanent with little chance of
recovery in advanced stages. Hair cells are known to be sensitive to chronic exposure to loud noise.
• Therefore, the ear is at risk of exposure to noise from the mobile phone as well as the electromagnetic radiation waves emitted by the phone.
• Electromagnetic absorption is maximum on the side the phone is held and decreases to one-tenth on the opposite side of the head . Thus the
ear that is frequently used with the mobile receives maximum electromagnetic rays
some recommendations for mobile phone users: (1) set the lowest volume. (2) Short dialogue
periods. (3) Hands free device (4) Use of mobile phones with low EMF emissions.
HOW HEADPHONES, EARBUDS CAN SLOWLY
HARM YOUR HEARING OVER TIME
• Cranking up your earbuds as you listen to music or a podcast might be your favorite form of self-care.
• However, it might not be the best for your hearing.
• According to recent analysis, high levels of noise can affect hearing loss in the future.
• Children, teens, and young adults may be particularly at risk if they often listen to many hours of music per day at
volumes exceeding the public health limit of 70 decibels of average leisure noise exposure per day that’s
recommended by The National Institutes of Health (NIH)Trusted Source.
• The World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source estimates that around 50 percent of people ages 12 to 35 are
at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged and excessive exposure to loud sounds, such as music heard through
personal audio devices.
• Studies show that hearing loss is on the rise in youngsters due to excessive noise exposure from using headphones
USING HEADPHONES/EARPHONES AT VERY HIGH
VOLUME FOR LONG PERIODS CAUSE:
• Tinnitus [Noises in ear] - This is mostly due to the exposure to extremely loud noise. It is
a ringing, buzzing, roaring noise in the ear or head. Damage to the hair cells in cochlea
[part of inner ear] is mostly responsible for this condition.
• Hyperacusis - is an increased sensitivity to normal environmental sounds. As many as 63
percent of tinnitus patients also suffer from hyperacusis.
• Hearing loss - Listening to loud music [volume greater than 85-90 decibels] daily and for
prolonged periods can result in NIHL (Noise Induced Hearing Loss). The loss may be
temporary or permanent
HOW DOES USING HEADPHONES AFFECT YOUR HEALTH?

• Ear infections - are common as regular use of earphones enhance the growth of bacteria and also transfer
other person’s bacteria to your ears, if they are shared with others
• Numbness in ears - may occur after exposing ears to loud music. This may lead to muffled hearing, temporary
or permanent hearing impairment.
• Excessive ear wax - which is result of using headphones for long duration may result in tinnitus, difficulty in
hearing, earache and recurrent ear infections .
• Pain in the ears - can be a referred type of pain which may extend to the inner ear due to a poorly fitting
headset
• Effect on the brain - is due to the electromagnetic waves generated by the headphones
• Dizziness - may be caused due to increased pressure in ear canal caused by loud noise.
THE FOLLOWING TIPS CAN HELP YOU USE HEADPHONES
IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T AFFECT YOUR HEALTH.
OCCUPATIONAL NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS

• Noise is the insidious of all industrial pollutants, involving every industry and causing severe hearing loss in every country in
the world.
• Exposure to excessive noise is the major avoidable cause of permanent hearing impairment. Worldwide,
• 16% of the disabling hearing loss in adults is attributed to occupational noise, ranging from 7 to 21% in the various
subregions.
• The estimated cost of noise to developed countries ranges from 0.2 to 2% of the gross domestic product (GDP).
• Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is bilateral and symmetrical, usually affecting the higher frequencies (3k, 4k or 6k Hz)
and then spreading to the lower frequencies (0.5k, 1k or 2k Hz).
• Other major health effects are lack of concentration, irritation, fatigue, headache, sleep disturbances, etc.
• The major industries responsible for excessive noise and exposing workers to hazardous levels of noise are textile, printing,
saw mills, mining, etc.
PREVENTION

• The most effective way to prevent NIHL is to protect the worker from hazardous noise at the workplace.
• Hearing protectors should be used when engineering controls and work practices are not feasible for reducing noise exposure to safe levels.
• A personal hearing protection device is a device designed to reduce the level of sound reaching the eardrum. Ear muffs, ear plugs and ear canal caps are the
main types of hearing protectors.
• To select hearing protectors, we should consider the following:
1. The workers who will be wearing them.
2. The need for compatibility with other safety equipment.
3. Workplace conditions such as temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure.
• A variety of style should be provided so that workers may select a hearing protector on the basis of comfort, ease of use and handling and impact on
communication.
• Each worker should receive individual training in the selection, fitting, use, repair and replacement of hearing protectors.
• The most common excuses reported by workers for not wearing hearing protectors include discomfort, interference with hearing speech and warning signals and
the belief of workers that there is no control over an inevitable process that causes hearing loss. Given adequate education and training, workers can realize the
crucial importance of wearing hearing protectors.
THANK YOU