60% of Hearing Loss Can Be Prevented
The main causes of hearing loss are congenital deafness, ear infections or congestion, deafness due to noise, deafness due to age, and deafness due to earwax. Chairman of Perhati-KL Indonesia dr. Yussy Afriani Dewi, Sp.T.H.T.B.K.L said that 60% of hearing loss is caused by something that can be prevented.
"Prevention is done by identifying as early as possible in various age groups," said dr. Yussy at a World Hearing Day press conference, Wednesday (1/3) in Jakarta.
The very first early detection of hearing is screening of newborns and toddlers. Then screening in children and pre-school age, in individuals exposed to continuous noise or chemicals, in individuals exposed to ototoxic drugs because some drugs can cause hearing loss, and in old age.
Efforts to maintain hearing health can be done by early detection of hearing loss, avoiding noise, a good clean and healthy lifestyle, paying attention to the cleanliness of the ear canal, not taking ototoxic drugs in the long term without consulting a doctor.
"Avoid cleaning your own ears, avoid picking your ears, avoid using earphones at high volume for a long time," said dr. Yussy.
The government is targeting ear and hearing health services in 2030, namely a 20% increase in screening services for newborns, a 20% increase in community services for adults with hearing impairments who use hearing aids and implants, and a 20% reduction in ear infection ratesChronic pain and hearing loss in school children aged 5 to 9 years.
In addition, hearing loss can be caused by a noisy work environment. Doctor representative from the Indonesian Association of Occupational Medicine Specialists (Perdoki) dr. F. Handoyo, MPH Sp.OK explained that noise in the workplace can cause health problems if the noise exceeds 85 decibels for 8 hours continuously every day.
The noise can come from machinery, vehicle equipment, and industrial processes.
“Noise-induced hearing loss, namely temporary or permanent deafness. So you don't go deaf right away but gradually, slowly your hearing decreases and you can recover again. However, if it is not treated immediately, it can result in permanent deafness," said dr. Handoyo.
Prevention of hearing loss in the workplace, he continued, can be done through primary and secondary prevention. He further explained that primary prevention is carried out by conducting health checks including the hearing health of prospective employees. Furthermore, secondary prevention is carried out with annual health checks.
This news was broadcast by the Bureau of Communication and Public Services, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. For further information, please contact the Halo Ministry of Health hotline number via hotline number 1500-567, SMS 081281562620, facsimile (021) 5223002, 52921669, and email address contact@kemkes.go.id (D2).
Head of Communication and Public Service Bureau
SOURCE:
dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, M. Epid