It's essential to prioritize ear health. If exposed to loud noises, take a 5-minute break or consider using earplugs. Alternatively, to shield your ears, you can dampen a cotton ball with oil and gently place it inside.
Moreover, any inadvertent injury to the ear can lead to hearing impairment.
Causes of Hearing Problems: Hearing loss can arise from various issues within the auditory system. These include:
• Build-up of earwax
• Foreign objects entering the ear
• Abscesses or tumors
• Infections (bacterial, fungal, viral) like measles, rubella, mumps, and chickenpox
• Nerve-related issues in the ear
• Inflammation within the middle ear
• Blockages affecting blood flow to the inner, nasal, or middle ear
• Malfunctions in connecting tubes
Additionally, as individuals age, factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes can exacerbate hearing decline.
Caution Regarding Medications: It's imperative to use prescribed ear drops judiciously. Merely because a doctor once recommended them doesn't mean they're suitable for all ear-related issues. Refrain from prolonged or indiscriminate use based solely on over-the-counter advice. Without pinpointing the root cause of an ear issue, such drops might offer fleeting relief but could potentially harm your hearing with prolonged use.
Seeking Solutions: Should you or someone you know experience hearing challenges, it's vital to seek expert consultation from an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) promptly. In Bangladesh, cutting-edge treatment options are available. If auditory cells are intact, hearing aids might be beneficial. For more severe cases where the cochlear nerve isn't operational, a cochlear implant surgery becomes necessary.
Post-surgery, individuals born with hearing impairments will undergo a series of treatments aiming to restore auditory capabilities and ensure a fulfilling life. Emphasizing parental involvement—such as consistent communication and minimizing exposure to digital stimuli like cartoons and multilingual media—remains crucial for children undergoing treatment. Moreover, society and educational institutions should offer specialized support for deaf-mute children to facilitate their holistic development.

Mohammad Haidar Ali
Managing Director and Hearing Aid Specialist
Abid Hearing Care Center