Ear check up marks World Hearing Day in Dimapur and Kohima

Dimapur, March 3: The government middle school of Kuda village ‘B’ Khel on March 3 observed World Hearing Day. The theme for the day was “Action for hearing loss–make a sound investment,” organisers of the event informed in a press release to the media on March 3.

Commemorating the day, school children of the government school were given medical check up and screening. The medical team comprised Dr. Krunichuno Rino, ENT Specialist, and Lutoho Kiba, Audiometrist, besides DHD and IEC personnel. They screened 75 students who had various ear problems, the press release stated.

Also, 11 students underwent ‘Pure Tone Audiometry procedure,’ the organisers stated. Nine students underwent “ear syringing procedure.” One of the students had Ear FB removal procedure while another was identified for a ‘hearing aid trial.’

During the check-up, the organisers informed, 14 students were diagnosed and treated with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction while eight students were found with conductive hearing loss; nine students were treated with Chronic Otitis Media.

The students were given free medicines as well. Other ear problems such as Otomycosis, ear wax, ear foreign body, AOE, ASOM, Referred Otalgia, Sensorineural hearing loss etc were also diagnosed and treated during the event, the press release stated.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. K. Vikato Kinimi and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Antoly also visited the program, ‘for monitoring and supervision,’ the press release stated. Dr. Kinimi has expressed appreciation to Mekhrietono Savino, head teacher of the government middle school and the school’s staffers for their support in carrying out the programme.

Earlier during the program, a short “awareness talk” on the causes of hearing loss and the preventive measures one can take was delivered during the school assembly, the organisers informed.

Kohima town

A similar program was conducted in Kohima town to commemorate said event. The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPD), under the National Health Mission organized a program for students and teachers of the government middle and primary school of Daklane in Kohima.

Speaking on the topic ‘Action For Hearing Loss: Make a Sound Investment,’ Dr. Kedozeto Punyü, senior ENT specialist, explained the need for action to check hearing loss ‘through focus on preventing and identifying hearing loss, high cost of unaddressed hearing loss and cost effectiveness of interventions.’ He stressed on the continued need for awareness about noise induced hearing loss, especially among children, he said. He emphasized on early detection and intervention which he said were most important factors to minimizing the impact of hearing loss on a child’s development.

School children were screened by ENT specialists and staffers of Naga Hospital, a press release informed on Friday. 20 children with ear-related problems were given free ear check-up, hearing tests and free medicines, it was informed. Information materials were also provided too. Students who were diagnosed with moderate hearing impairment were referred for further treatment, the organisers informed.