Dr. Khalid A.Hadi
DOHA: With an aim to enhance the National Center for Early Detection of Hearing Loss (NPEDHL), screening services of newborns has been expanded to the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) said a senior official.
Also at present babies are screened for hearing once instead of the previous practice of two screenings, said National Lead of Health and well-being for people with Special Needs, Dr. Khalid A.Hadi.
“In place of testing the babies twice; first after birth before hospital discharge and second at 2 to 3 months of age with one physiological test (OAE), it has been changed to test once at 2 to 3 months of age with the first vaccination with two physiological tests (OAE and AABR),” said Dr Hadi.
“This test is to be offered with the first vaccination in the PHCC health centers,” he added.
At present, the service is available in three health centers in Leibeb, Thumama and Rawdat Alkhail. It will be expanded to two more health centers in near future and eventually to all major health centers over the next year, according to Dr. Hadi.
Qatar is recognized as a leader in the early detection of hearing weakness and loss due to the establishment of the NPEDHL. Established in 2003, the program provides hearing screenings to all babies born in Qatar.
“Through the NPEDHL over 28,000 patients are screened for hearing loss yearly while a total of 7209 and 303 patients have been fitted with hearing aids and cochlear implants respectively,” said Dr. Hadi who is also the Senior Consultant, Head of Audiology and Balance Unit at Ambulatory Care Center (ACC).
At present the Audiology and Balance Unit offers 11 main services including, general audiology service, dizzy clinic, vestibular and balance rehabilitation clinic, ototoxicity clinic, geriatric clinic, tinnitus clinic, hearing aid fitting, pediatric clinic, cochlear implant clinic, audio-verbal therapy and the NPEDHL.
The World Hearing Day, which falls on every March 3, raises awareness of hearing loss and the importance of early diagnosis to prevent complications as well as support for people living with hearing loss. This year’s event coincided with the launch of the World Report on Hearing, presenting a global call for action to address hearing loss and ear diseases across the life course under the theme: “Hearing care for All! Screen. Rehabilitate. Communicate”.
“Hearing loss is caused by many factors as there are three types of hearing loss — sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss, most frequently from natural aging or exposure to loud noise. In addition to the most common causes of hearing loss are congenital hearing loss, genetics, virus or disease, ototoxicity and head trauma,” said Dr. Hadi.
Other Causes include, diabetes, stroke, ménière's disease (a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance), acoustic tumors, smoking and hypertension.
