World Hearing Day 2023
Ear and hearing care for all! Let’s make it a reality in Sri Lanka.
The Department of Disability Studies of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Kelaniya and the "Ayati" National Centre for Children with Disabilities organized a series of activities throughout two weeks from the 1st of March to the 13th of March 2023 to celebrate the World Hearing Day (WHD) and take forward the theme of this year specified by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The activities that targeted the audiologists and audiology students included three webinars. Those were: 'Public health approaches to improve hearing health' conducted by an assistant professor from the USA, 'Audiologists' role in ear and hearing care' presented by an associate professor from India, and 'Implementation of a comprehensive tele-practice model of EHDI in rural areas of Tamil Nādu: a community-based participatory approach' conducted by an associate professor from India.
The healthcare professionals at several public and private hospitals were educated regarding hearing loss and early identification via discussion sessions and posters at their notice boards and offices. On the 11th of March, a workshop was held for 80 midwives on early detection and intervention of paediatric hearing losses at the College of Nursing, Kandana, Sri Lanka.
Activities were conducted to create awareness on newborn hearing screening, signs of hearing loss, ear infections, myths and facts about hearing loss, and tips for healthy ears among the public by disseminating posts through social media platforms, a newspaper article on safe listening, displaying posters in public places, and distributing bookmarks on ear care tips.
A walkathon was also organized on the 4th of March from Viharamahadevi Park to Galleface, Colombo. During this activity, a short survey was conducted on ear and hearing care practices, followed by individual & group discussions on tips for improving ear and hearing care. On 13th March 2023, all persons visiting the Ayati centre, including parents and clients, were informed about hearing milestones, ear wax, and good ear and hearing care practices.
The academics and students at the University of Kelaniya, audiologists at the University audiology clinic, Ayati National Centre for Children with Disabilities, clinicians at the Wickramarachchi Hearing Care (Pvt) Ltd, members of the Lanka Association of Audiologist worked collaboratively in these activities to raise the awareness on ear and hear care practices and importance of early identification and treatment of hearing loss. The public awareness programs have successfully reached more than 1000 participants in-person, and 200 participants filled out the short survey. This survey provided an overview of the present ear care practices. Undergraduate students following BSc (honors) in Speech and Hearing Sciences, Specializing in Audiology (Batch 12) and the academic staff of the Department of Disability Studies planned and implemented the events.
