Doha: Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Hearing and Balance Department has recorded a 100 percent success in surgical cochlear implant, similar to international standards.
Over the years, more than 315 cochlear implants have been performed and more than 98% aural audition has been recorded, Dr. Khalid A. Hadi, National Lead of health and well-being for people with special needs, told The Peninsula.
Dr. Hadi, who is also a Senior Consultant, Head of Audiology and Balance Unit at Ambulatory Care Center (ACC), said success rate for speech development among those who have undergone cochlear implant, exceeds 90 percent. Family's support plays a major role in it, he said.
In 2015, the success rate of cochlear implant was found to be between 90 and 100 percent. A cochlear implant is an electronic device that enhances the sense of sound for people with a hearing impairment. “Cochlear equipment used at HMC are considered the most advanced internationally,” said Dr. Hadi. He said that cochlear implant is suitable for children and adults.
The Hearing and Balance Department was established in 2004, and since then the department has been witnessing continuous development, as the number of clinics has reached more than 11 clinics, including peadiatric audiology clinic, auditory brainstem response clinic, tinnitus clinic, ototoxicity clinic, dizzy clinic, cochlear implant clinic, hearing aid fitting and programming clinic, vestibular rehabilitation clinic, auditory verbal therapy clinic, hearing aid lab, and the National Program for the Early Detection of Hearing Loss (established in 2003). According to Dr. Hadi, the Audiology and Balance Department serves over 45,000 patients per year.
Under the National Program for the Early Detection of Hearing Loss, approximately 28,000 newborns are screened every year. “Between 20 and 25 children are diagnosed with a hearing impairment annually from the National Program for Early Detection of Hearing Loss. This corresponds to the global statistics on the number of children with hearing impairment, which is one to three children per thousand,” said Dr. Hadi.
He said that early intervention is useful in managing hearing impairment. “The delay in intervention leads to social isolation and the inability to receive basic education like the rest of his peers, and the economic costs for the family and the nation.
“It is necessary to preserve hearing by first measuring the intensity of sound in workplaces that contain very loud sounds, in addition to wearing protective headphones or earplugs to reduce their impact on the ear and taking a time-out for a break and distance from these sounds. We recommend annual hearing assessments for workers in these fields to ensure that hearing is not affected,” he said.
He said entertainment venues should ensure the permitted safe sound intensity and not affect the audience, and insisted on safe use of iPods and headphone, especially among young people.
“In the event you suspect that you suffer from a hearing impairment, it is necessary to consult a specialist,” said Dr. Hadi.
