22 August 2006 DEAF AWARENESS WEEK 24 - 30 AUGUST 2006 The National Deaf (Hearing loss) Awareness Week is taking places on 24 - 30 August 2006, The City of Johannesburg Health Department would like to creates awareness about this health condition that affects many people in the community. Hearing loss refers to reduced hearing, which can be caused by a variety of factors. It is different from deafness, which is present from birth and may be caused by genetic factors or rubella infection during pregnancy. Hearing loss can vary greatly among children and can be caused by many things. Most children also experience mild, temporary hearing loss when fluid gets in the middle ear from allergies or colds. Sometimes as a result of an ear infection, fluid stays in the middle ears, which can sometimes cause hearing loss and delays in your child's speech. Some children have permanent hearing loss. This can be from mild (they don't hear as well as you do) to complete (where they can't hear anything at all). The signs and symptoms of hearing loss are different for different children. If you see any of these signs, visit your child's doctor or your local health community centre: The child does not turn to the source of a sound by 3 to 4 months of age The child pays attention to vibrating noises or noises that can be felt, rather than heard The child does not say single words, such as "dada" or "mama" by 1 year of age The child turns head when he or she sees you but not if you only call out his or her name: this usually is mistaken for not paying attention or just ignoring, but could be the result of a partial hearing loss The child hears some sounds but not others Hearing loss can happen any time during life - from before birth to adulthood. Babies who are born early (premature babies), who have low birth weight, or who are exposed to infections in the womb might have hearing loss, but this can happen to full-term, normal weight babies as well. Genetic factors are the cause of hearing loss in about 50% of babies - some of these babies might have family members who are deaf. Illnesses, injuries, certain medicines, and loud noise levels can cause children and adults to lose hearing. Some causes of hearing loss can be prevented. For example, vaccines can prevent certain infections, such as measles or meningitis (an infection of the fluid around the brain and spinal cord), which can cause hearing loss. Another cause that can be prevented is a kind of brain damage called kernicterus, which is caused by severe jaundice. Remember that children should be vaccinated. See your health worker for further information. If you fall ill, see your doctor or nearest community health centre for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Persistent tinnitus or sudden hearing loss should be investigated by an ear specialist. For more information contact: Nkosinathi Nkabinde Communications Officer City of Johannesburg Health Department Telephone: (011) 407 - 6477 Facsimile: (011) 407 - 1443