Maragua: Parents have been urged to ensure their young ones undergo hearing screening a few days after they are born. A hearing consultant, Dr. Richard Mwangi, has stressed that once a child is born, hearing screening needs to be done before the mother is discharged from the hospital.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Mwangi noted that newborn ear screening is not commonly done, thus leading to cases of congenital hearing impairment among children. The doctor spoke at Maragua Level 4 hospital during a free medical hearing camp organized by the county government of Murang’a in partnership with Doctors of Hearing Organization, an event meant to mark international World Hearing Day slated for March 3.
Mwangi observed that hearing problems of a newborn lead to delayed development of speech, asking parents to prioritize hearing screening of their children to avoid congenital hearing impairment. He dismissed claims that hearing impairment is associated with health, saying the problem can be acquired at any age.
‘Our young people are exposed to noise hazards that cause hearing impairment. Continuous use of headphones in a loud volume has led many youths to develop hearing problems. The one way to control this is to have controlled volumes and sparingly use of hear or head phones. In our clinics, we have recorded increased cases of hearing problems among young people, and this can be controlled by following doctors’ directives,’ he added.
The medic further noted hearing impairment is also associated with brain health, saying patients with cognitive decline have exhibited problems with their hearing. ‘Brain health needs to be well checked as this problem also affects the hearing capacity of a person,’ said Mwangi.
During the camp, a notable observation was the high number of children with hearing impairment, with the consultant advising young people to minimize exposure to excessive noise to prevent long-term hearing damage. ‘I also advise the locals to avoid inserting items like ear buds in their ears for the purpose of cleaning them. Nothing should be inserted in the ear. One should use a wet towel to wipe the ear,’ Mwangi stated.
Murang’a residents who attended the camp received specialized services from a highly qualified team of audiologists and hearing consultants. Additionally, hearing aids were provided to individuals diagnosed with hearing loss, ensuring they get the support they need. The camp was also aimed at raising awareness about the causes of hearing problems, such as sudden deafness and noise-induced hearing loss, and highlighted important preventive measures to protect ear health.