PROF. Foluwasayo Ologe of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ilorin, has appealed to the Federal Government to introduce screening for hear impairment in the nation’s hospitals.
Otorhinolaryngology (or ENT) is the study of ear, nose and throat conditions.
Ologe made the appeal on Friday in Ilorin in a paper he presented at the 155th inaugural lecture of the University entitled: “Hearing Loss, the hidden handicap.”
The don, a lecturer at the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, stressed the need to screen Nigerians to detect hearing loss early.
He also stressed the need for the government to develop a ‘robust’ ear, nose and throat disease programme.
Ologe explained that awareness of the prevalence, causes, effects, prevention and management of hearing loss was poor in the country.
He said that excessive noise from grinding machine poses serious threat to public health.
“Grinding machine stationed close to the owners residence exposes the users, their families and neighbours to the risk of noise induced hearing loss,” he said, adding that some diseases such as diabetes and sickle cell anemia could lead to hearing impairment.