Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, March 3, 2025, Kolkata : As hearing problems continue to rise globally, the importance of awareness and early intervention has never been more critical. According to a report by the World Health Organization, approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from hearing issues, with that number expected to rise to 2.5 billion by 2050. In India alone, around 1.17 lakh children are born each year with congenital hearing impairment. With proper awareness and timely medical attention, many of these problems can be addressed effectively.
In observance of World Hearing Day on March 3, the West Bengal Branch of the Speech and Hearing Association of India organized an awareness walk in Kolkata. The walk, which stretched from Rashbehari Crossing to Gariahat, aimed to raise awareness about hearing health. The event saw participation from speech and hearing specialists, children suffering from hearing impairments, and their families, all walking together to spread the message of the importance of early intervention and hearing care.
This year’s World Hearing Day theme, “Changing Mindsets: Empower Yourself, Make Ear and Hearing Care a Reality for All,” was highlighted by Dr. Md. Sahidul Arefin, Joint Secretary of the Association. He pointed out the significance of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS), a simple test that can diagnose hearing issues in infants. While over 98% of newborns in developed countries undergo this screening, in India, only 5-15% of infants receive it. Dr. Arefin emphasized the need for greater awareness to ensure early intervention and better outcomes for children with hearing impairments.
Dr. Babul Basu, former president of the Indian Speech-Language and Hearing Association, spoke about the dangers of excessive noise exposure, unnecessary honking, and loud sounds, urging people to be mindful of these everyday practices that can contribute to hearing loss. Dr. Amrita Bhattacharya, from Shishumangal Hospital, also highlighted the rising concern over excessive headphone use, which is increasingly linked to hearing problems. She urged the public to exercise caution when using headphones to protect their hearing health.
Parents of children who have overcome hearing difficulties shared their personal experiences during the event, encouraging others not to panic in the face of hearing challenges but to seek help from specialists promptly for effective solutions.
World Hearing Day serves as a reminder that hearing health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, and through education, awareness, and early intervention, many hearing and speech-related issues can be mitigated. The Kolkata walk marked a significant step in promoting hearing care and supporting those affected by hearing impairments.