Kolkata, 3rd March, 2025 : The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 100 crore people worldwide suffer from hearing problems, with excessive use of headphones and Bluetooth devices being a primary contributor. Noise pollution and chronic ear diseases also play a significant role. To combat this issue, WHO has designated March 3rd as World Hearing Day to raise awareness and promote ear and hearing care globally. On this occasion, ‘The Association of Otolaryngologists of India‘ (AOI) has called a Press Conference at Press Club Kolkata. Now a day’s most of the hearing problems have been treated by latest generation modern treatment. But general people are too aware to these facts.
In the Press Meet Dr. Dwaipayan Mukherjee, National President AOI or All India ENT Doctors Association has called to celebrate world hearing Day by increasing social awareness. He has said that Hearing is very important to our life and it is very difficult to get back if it is damaged. Actually Hearing loss cannot be recovered by any ways. It is very much difficult to return the natural hearing power by Hearing aid or cochlear implant. So maintaining hearing hygiene is very much important not only for children but also for all. He has informed that over use of headphones is one of the main cause of audio problem or hearing loss. According to to Dr. Mukherjjee,use of headphone should be avoided, if not possible one should not use not more than two hours/day. Otherwise auditory nerve may be damaged. He has cautioned to the people to be careful to this subject and wished for happy listening.
It is learned from a survey that about 182.4 million people used headphone in India in 2020 with this number expected to rise to 244.8 million by 2025. In this perspective, according to DR. Utpal Jana, President AOI west Bengal, One should abide by some rules to use headphone or blue tooth device.
Dr. Snehashis Barman, treasurer AOI West Bengal has said that recently to increase mass awareness a circular has been issued by the Director General, Health Services, Government of India. In this circular Professor (Dr.) Atul Goel, DG Health Services, has called to all chief Secretaries of states, all Principals of Medical Colleges, all doctors and medical staffs and others to aware to these problems.
Dr. Ajoy Kumar Khawas, Secretary AOI WB has said that in everyday life we cannot understand the slowly but permanently hearing loss for prolong continuous using of headphone, year plug or blue tooth device. For this reason a risk of deafness has increased to our young generation in future. In this situation it is very important to maintain some rules in our daily life which are as follows:
Responsible Usage: Avoid continuous headphone use, as it’s a significant risk factor for partial or total hearing loss.
Volume Control: Limit headphone volume to less than 50 decibels.
Break Reminders: Don’t use headphone more than two hours continuously. If require, Take regular breaks when using headphones for extended periods.
Suitable Devices: One should use his suitable hearing devises in low volume.
Parental Guidance: Monitor children’s screen time and online gaming to prevent hearing damage.
Social Responsibility: Ensure event sound levels do not exceed 100 decibels.
Regular Check-ups: Prioritize regular hearing check-ups alongside health check-ups.
Spend quality time with family and control yourself to the social media platforms.
Dr. Dwaipayan Mukherjee, National President of the Association, Dr. Utpal Jana, President AOI WB, Dr. Ajoy Kumar Khawas, Secretary AOI West Bengal, Dr. Snehashis Barman, treasurer AOI West Bengal, along with the other renowned ENT Specialists from the country have been present to the press Meet and address the Press to aware public to this subject. They have said that adopting the above habits and promoting awareness, we can work towards preventing hearing loss and protecting our auditory health.
