Dr Khalid Abdul Hadi (centre) with Dr Walid Ezzeldin Omer (left) and Dr Maha Al Sulaiteen at a media briefing. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
DOHA: More than 600 children and adults are treated for sensorineural hearing loss every year at the Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Audiology and Balance Unit. The Unit provides a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment program, caring for adults and children who are experiencing hearing loss.
“The early diagnosis of hearing loss in children is especially important, as hearing impairments can lead to delayed development of listening and spoken language skills,” said Dr Khalid Abdul Hadi, Senior Consultant, Hearing and Balance Disorders and Director of the Audiology and Balance Unit speaking at a media briefing yesterday.
“Qatar is recognised as a leader in the early detection of hearing weakness and loss due to the establishment of the National Center for Early Detection of Hearing Loss.”
Established in 2003, National Center for Early Detection of Hearing Loss program provides hearing screenings to all babies born in Qatar prior to their discharge from the hospital. Under the programme, all babies are tested again when they have their first vaccination, normally between two to three months and children are also screened prior to starting school.
HMC also has a separate programme to screen adults above 55 years of age.
“National Center for Early Detection of Hearing Loss programme has screened 31,767 cases in 2017. One to three persons among every 10,000 people have a hearing problem and it’s similar to the prevalence in other countries in the world,” said Dr Hadi.
One of the most diagnosed conditions treated at Unit is sensorineural hearing loss. Acquired sensorineural hearing loss, which occurs after birth, can be caused by a number of factors, including ageing, noise (noise-induced hearing loss), disease or infection, and trauma. In contrast, congenital sensorineural hearing loss, a condition that is present at birth, can be either inherited or caused by abnormal development during pregnancy.
“Audiology and Balance Unit has fitted over 5,000 patients with hearing aids and helped 245 patients hear again, or in some cases for the first time, by providing them with cochlear implants,” said Dr Hadi.
Also in an initiative to find the reasons behind hearing problems, Audiology and Balance Unit and the National Program for Early Detection of Hearing Loss of the HMC together Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy has conducted a research.
The study was based on DNA sequencing among children. It has found the influence of a gene which plays a role in hereditary hearing loss.
“Now a similar study is being held among the adults. We are also conducting a separate study with a German Hospital to find more about the Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection which is a major cause of bilateral and unilateral sensorineural hearing loss in children,” he added.
Further, in recognition of World Hearing Day, held each year on March 3, this week HMC will hold a number of events for staff and members of the public to raise awareness of the rising global prevalence of hearing loss and the importance of preventative actions to protect individuals’ hearing.
