The President of an umbrella organization for Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists, Professor OGB Nwaorgu has called for a regulation against noise pollution in the country.
Nwaorgu, who heads Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Nigeria (ORLSON), wanted such regulation on noise emission, said that such regulation should seek to control and abates, preserve and maintain public health.
He blamed noise originating from industrial, commercial, domestic, sport, recreational, transportation or similar activities on most of the hearing loss.
He insisted, at an occasion marking the World Hearing Day in Abuja, that Neonatal Hearing screening should be made mandatory in all health facilities to ensure that babies with hearing loss or predisposed to hearing loss are identified early.
The President of the organization, who identified noise as an increasing source of hearing loss, cited chronic exposure to moderate sounds as very dangerous to the ear.
This was even as the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari charged medical authorities in the country to ensure the provision of adequate diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative services in hospitals across the country, in order to reduce the number of Nigerians with hearing disabilities. She said, through Mrs. Mairo Tanko Almakura, wife of the Governor of Nasarawa state, said that there is need for the populace to be informed about the availability of such services as loss of hearing does not signify an end to life, and because interventions on hearing loss are available and are cost-effective.
“The populace must be encouraged to prevent themselves by going for regular screening, and rehabilitating themselves through hearing devices.” She said.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s event “Action for Hearing Loss: Make A Sound Investment” Mrs. Buhari drew attention to the fact that taking action is indeed an investment, because hearing loss has economic repercussions, as well as significant impact on the lives of those affected.
The meeting was attended by representative of Minister of Health and Chief Medical Director National Hospital, Dr. Jack Momoh, Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Jalal Arabi, Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mr. Femi Adesina and Emir of Borgu, among others. [myad]
