Warning to 1 billion young people: "They are in danger"

Pointing out that, based on the messages provided by the World Health Organization within the scope of the 2024 World Hearing Day, hearing impairment is still associated with prejudices and beliefs that can lead to social exclusion, similar to those in primitive ages, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İşlek said, "Untreated hearing loss ranks third in the world in terms of years lived with disability. 

It is estimated that 1.5 billion people currently have varying degrees of hearing loss and that this number will approach 3 billion by 2050. On the other hand, 1 billion young people will face the risk of hearing loss due to a simple reason such as the habit of listening to loud music. 

The world report on hearing shows that evidence-based and cost-effective public health measures can eliminate many causes of hearing loss and thus prevent it," he said.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCURATE AND EARLY DIAGNOSIS

Stating that the hearing screening program is being carried out in 1,067 screening centers across our 81 provinces within the scope of the 'National Newborn Hearing Screening Program' in our country, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İşlek expressed that approximately 3 thousand babies gain the chance for early rehabilitation and treatment each year through this program, which plans to reach an accurate diagnosis and move to the treatment stage by the first 6 months of life.

He added that babies who receive an early diagnosis and whose hearing loss is corrected with devices, operations, or implants, and who are taken into rehabilitation, can complete their mental, social, and spiritual development just like healthy babies, in addition to their language development.

"IT CAN HAVE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES"

Touching upon the fact that speech or language development emerges with the successful integration of the hearing organ and the hearing center in the brain in the first years after birth, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İşlek said, "Hearing is an indispensable function that the brain and ear use to collect information from the outside world; beyond physical neurological development in infancy, it continues to contribute to cognitive, social, behavioral, and psychological development in later ages."

Emphasizing that failure to treat deafness can impair language development in infancy and lead to mental disorders such as anxiety disorders and depression in later ages, as well as accelerate devastating neurological diseases such as dementia, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İşlek warned that for this reason, risk groups for hearing loss—such as babies exposed to certain infections during pregnancy, children with adenoid and tonsil enlargement, those exposed to noise, or adults with a family history of deafness—should be more careful regarding ear health.

News Source: İHA