Aligarh: More than 60 children were examined for various ear-related diseases, including deafness and hearing loss in a camp on March 1, while about 150 patients were screened for ear problems in a free medical camp held at the ENT OPD on March 3, as part of the sensitization programme to mark the World Hearing Day-2023, observed by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, JN Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, under the "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav".

On March 2, a counseling and doubt-clearing session was held for the Cochlear Implant Candidates. The children using Cochlear Implants were also evaluated for progress.

Prof. Mohammad Aftab, Chairman, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-ENT, stressed the need to follow the 'safe listening' practices in consonance with the WHO theme for the year 2023, "Ear and Hearing Care for All". He discussed in detail the preventive measures and treatment for deafness in all age groups.

He emphasized the need for sensitizing common people about the increasing risks of deafness associated with occupational and recreational exposure to loud sounds and underscored the importance of timely intervention required for the restoration of hearing power.

Prof. Rakesh Bhargava, Principal, and CMS, JNMC, raised the concern about the increasing prevalence of deafness in society and emphasized the need for hearing preservation as it has a vital role in every individual's life.

Dr. Aftab Ahmed, in charge of the Cochlear Implant Programme, discussed the need for timely diagnosis and treatment of congenital deafness and highlighted the various government programmes providing free assistance to children for Cochlear implant surgery.

Aashutosh Kumar carried out the hearing evaluation while Kamran Farooq Khan conducted therapy on patients suffering from hearing loss.