Media Release

Mangaluru, Mar 2: World Hearing Day is recognized globally on March 3 each year to raise awareness on prevention of deafness and hearing loss, and promoting ear and hearing care. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes this event. Concerning this, various events are conducted worldwide promoting awareness on hearing loss and hearing care. WHO emphases on timely and effective interventions, so that people with hearing loss are able to achieve their full potential.

Every year WHO comes up with a theme, where execution of hearing awareness is done through use of educational materials. The theme declared for the year 2020 is ‘Hearing for life – Do not let hearing loss limit you’.

In support of the efforts taken by WHO, the department of Audiology and Speech - Language Pathology, KMC Hospital, Attavar, Mangaluru, had organised a Public Awareness Programme on February 29, on ‘Ageing and Hearing Loss by Audiologist, Speech Language Pathologist and Specialists in Care of Elderly’. Dr Sheetal Raj M, associate professor, from the department of Medicine, KMC Hospital, Mangaluru, who is specialized in geriatric medicine and care, delivered an awareness talk on hearing loss and its impact during old age. Dr Jayashree S Bhat, professor, from department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, KMC Hospital, Mangaluru, emphasised on early identification and rehabilitation of hearing loss. She also explained about the main cause of hearing loss among older adults include hypertension, diabetes, noise exposure, cancer treatment, and other age related changes.