August 23, 2006
By Lucky Sindane
CLINICS across Johannesburg will take a break from their schedules to teach communities about hearing loss during the National Deaf Awareness Week, which takes place from 24 to 30 August.
The City's health department will focus on hearing loss, a condition that differs from deafness.
Hearing loss, or reduced hearing, is caused by a variety of factors, including allergies and illness - and many are preventable, particularly if picked up early.
Hearing loss can happen from before birth to adulthood. In some cases genetic factors may play a role in hearing loss, while illness, injuries, certain medication and loud noises may also play a role.
"The health department would like to create awareness about this condition, which affects many people," according to the City's health department spokesperson, Nkosinathi Nkabinde.
All 96 of the City's clinics will be involved in the education campaign.
An important part of the campaign is informing parents on how to identify early symptoms in their children.
"Hearing loss can vary greatly among children and can be caused by many things," Nkabinde says.
While most children experience mild, temporary hearing loss when fluid gets inside the ear from allergies or colds, sometimes the fluid remains in the ear as a result of infection. This could cause hearing loss.
This may then have a ripple effect, affecting the child's development, for example in speech. "This can be from mild, they don't hear as well as you do, to complete, where the child can't hear anything at all," says Nkabinde.
Signs and symptoms parents are urged to look out for:
- The child does not turn to the source of a sound by three to four months of age.
- The child pays attention to vibrating noises or noises that can be felt rather than heard.
- The child does not say a single word such as "dada" or "mama" during his or her first year.
- The child turns his or her head away from you when you call out their name as if not paying attention or just ignoring you.
- The child hears some sounds, but not others.
Hearing loss differs from child to child and it is important for parents to visit their doctor or local health centre if they notice these signs.
"Some causes of hearing loss can be prevented," Nkabinde says.
Illness such as measles or meningitis may lead to hearing loss. However, there are vaccinations that can be administered to prevent these infections.
Another cause that can be prevented is a kind of brain damage called kernicterus, which is caused by severe jaundice, according the health department.
The department also issued a reminder to parents to get their children vaccinated, a service offered at all City clinics.
Persistent tinnitus or sudden hearing loss should be investigated by an ear specialist, the department added.
"See your health worker for further information. If you fall ill, see your doctor or nearest community health centre for prompt diagnosis and treatment," Nkabinde says.
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