LEADING ACTIVITY
ON YOUR PHONE OR A PIECE OF PAPER WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU CAN HEAR AS THESE CLIPS (with varying volumes) ARE PLAYED
TRUE/FALSE
Earwax is dirty and must be regularly removed
Keys, pen case, matchsticks, etc are bad for wax removal, but cotton buds are better
If I can hear, then my ears are fine
As long as my earphones don’t hurt my ears they can’t cause hearing loss
Honey, oil, Agbo, Breastmilk, etc can be used to ease ear aches
The more I shout, the more someone with hearing loss can hear me
Some drugs can cause hearing loss
A child who doesn’t start talking early will always catch up as he/she grows
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
Having ear wax is normal and it keeps your ears clean
Don’t use Q-tips/cotton buds, match sticks, home remedies like palm oil, breast milk and honey in your ear
Hearing loss is gradual and more common than you think! One out of every five people has hearing loss. Regular hearing checks is adviced
Many people damage their hearing due to loud sounds heard over headphones.
Speak clearly and face-to-face when speaking with someone with a hearing loss
Use of certain medicines like antibiotics, aspirin, etc, have been known to cause HL
A child that doesn’t talk early might have a disabling hearing loss which can significantly affect his life if it is not managed early
NEWBORN
Causes:
Maternal Infection during pregnancy
Complications of Neonatal jaundice
Congenital malformations
Impact:
Speech/Language Delay
Permanent hearing loss
Reduced Academic Performance
TODDLERS & YOUNG CHILDREN
Causes:
Recurrent/untreated ear infections/wax impaction
Exposure to Loud noise
Severe Childhood illness
Impact:
‘late talker’ assumption leading to late intervention
Communication, literacy and/or social interaction
TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS
Causes:
Frequent use of earphones at volume above 60% and above 60 minutes
Trauma to the ear or head from accidents, fights, falls, etc
Ototoxic drugs/ Chemotherapy
Impact:
Tinnitus
Difficulty hearing in noisy environment/ understanding conversations
Significant impact on academics and social life
Permanent hearing damage
ADULTS
Causes:
Constant exposure to noise (factories, construction sites, market places, traffic)
Untreated Hypertention or Diabetes (reduced blood flow to the auditory system)
Impact:
Increased cognitive decline
Difficulty communicating or following communication
Withdrawal from social settings
Increased Frustration/ Depression
THE ELDERLY
Causes:
Age-related hearing loss (Presbycusis)
Ototoxic drugs
Diabetes Mellitus/ Hypertension
Impact:
Cognitive decline
Higher risk of dementia
Depression (strained relationships, social isolation, misinterpretation of conversations)
WHAT TO DO?
Newborn Hearing Screenings (before 3 months)
Early Intervention
Recognition of Hearing loss signs
Treatment of Ear Infections by professionals
Hearing Tests before school entry
Following the 60/60 rule (60% volume max for 60 minutes at a time)
Regular hearing checks (hearing loss mostly, except in rare cases, doesn’t sneak up on people)
Use ear protection
Speak clearly and face-to-face when speaking with someone with a hearing loss
Don’t panic if you or your child(ren) has/ve hearing loss.
Depending on the cause, it can be addressed by:
Medicines
Surgery
Hearing aids
Implants
Therapy
Consult a professional to know which one will work for you
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS