hello..Hello..HELLO..Can You Hear Me Now! World Hearing Day observed by 5 Speech & Hearing Institutes
Mangaluru: World Hearing Day is a campaign held each year by Office of Prevention of Blindness and Deafness of the World Health Organization (WHO). Activities take place across the globe and an event is hosted at the World Health Organization on March 3rd. The campaign’s objectives are to share information and promote actions towards the prevention of hearing loss and improved hearing care. The first event was held in 2007. Before 2016 it was known as International Ear Care Day.Each year, the WHO selects a theme, develops educational materials, and makes these freely available in several languages. It also coordinates and reports on events around the globe. The theme of the campaign for 2020 is “Hearing for Life. Don’t let hearing loss limit you”.
Father Muller College of Speech and Hearing joined hands with four other eminent colleges of Speech and Hearing in Mangaluru city by conducting a Mega Walkathon to celebrate World Hearing Day on Sunday, March 3rd, 2020. This event is recognized by the World Hearing Forum under World Health Organization for the cause of “Hearing for Life”.Students and Staff from Father Muller college of Speech and Hearing, M.V Shetty College of Speech and Hearing, NITTE Institute of Speech and Hearing , MAPS College of Speech and Hearing and A.J Institute of Speech and Hearing, among others marched in silence from Mialgres Church, Hampankatta premises to Forum Fiza Mall, Pandeshwar, Mangaluru.
The Walkathon was flagged off by Dr. UT Ifthikar Ali, Syndicate member of R.G.U.H.S Bengaluru from Milagres Church, in the presence of Fr Joseph Lobo-Parish Priest of Milagres Church, Dept Heads/Principals of participating Speech and Hearing institutes. Dr Ifthikar and Fr Lobo complimented the five colleges for organizing the campaign/walkathon which would bring awareness among the people about loss of hearing and educate them on hearing loss prevention. Other special activities associated with the Mega Walkathon included street play to highlight the importance of hearing conservation.The event was registered and accepted under the World Health Organization (WHO). The aim of the campaign was to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care, regarding increasing effect of noise on hearing health and leading to better quality of life across the world. Also with an intention to build connections with the broader community for spreading awareness on this cause .
Akhilesh P M, the Principal of Father Muller Speech and Hearing College, Mangaluru addressing the gathering said, “At all life stages, communication and good hearing health connect us to each other, our communities, and the world. For those who have hearing loss, appropriate and timely interventions can facilitate access to education, employment and communication. Globally, there is lack of access to interventions to address hearing loss, such as hearing aids. Early intervention should be made available through the health systems. This campaign will draw attention to the importance of early identification and intervention for hearing loss. Many people live with unidentified hearing loss, often failing to realize that they are missing out on certain sounds and words. Checking one’s hearing would be the first step towards addressing the issue.
“The key messages for this event include: All people should check their hearing from time to time, especially those who are at a higher risk of hearing loss such as adults above 50 years, those working in noisy places, those listening to music at high volumes for long periods of time and those experiencing ear problems.
Services for early identification and intervention should be made available through the health system. This event is to Raise awareness about the importance of hearing; Encourage people to check their hearing regularly and practice safe listening. and Allow health workers to check the hearing status of people in their communities” added Akhilesh P M.
In the absence of Chief guest Lakshmi Ganesh K. KSPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime and traffic unit, who was suppose to address the ceremony at Forum Fiza Mall, Circle Inspector Ananth Murdeshwar of Pandeshwar Police Station addressing the audience said, “Being on the streets we know how hard it is to cope with the various noises created by vehicles. Motorists should use their common sense not to honk unnecessarily or modify their silencers to produce loud noise. This is indeed a unique campaign organized by these institutes in order to bring awareness on this hearing loss issue. Our police department is happy to be part of the campaign, and will extend our support in this respect”.
Ms Rashmi Desai from A J Institute of Speech and Hearing; Ms Swetha from Nitte Institute, Akhilesh from Father Muller Institute, Kin from MAPS institute, were among others who spoke on this awareness programme. Ms Florida D’souza from Fr Muller Speech and Hearing College compered the programme.