Expert Decries Rising Hearing Impairment Cases

An Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital  (ATBUTH), Abuja, Dr Auwal Ja’afar has raised concerns over the growing cases of hearing impairment among Nigerians.

He called for urgent action to prevent thousands from slipping into permanent hearing loss.

Ja’afar told LEADERSHIP in Bauchi that without strong community awareness and government-backed interventions, several people were on the brink of losing their hearing altogether.

He said early detection remains the most effective safeguard, advising anyone experiencing ear discharge, diminished hearing, or persistent ringing to seek medical attention without delay.

“Early intervention is crucial,” he stressed.

Dr. Ja’afar urged Nigerians to take personal responsibility by avoiding loud music, noisy social events, and unprotected exposure to industrial noise.

He also called for workplace compliance with protective measures to reduce preventable damage.

To curb the growing burden, he appealed to the government to introduce policies that promote hearing health, starting from proper antenatal care and newborn hearing screening to timely treatment for children before speech development begins.

He noted that access remains a major challenge, emphasising the need to train more ear-care professionals in primary healthcare centres and general hospitals across the country.

Noting the financial barriers faced by many patients, Dr. Ja’afar disclosed that treatments such as cochlear implants are still beyond the reach of average Nigerians. He urged the government to subsidise costs and ensure life-changing care is affordable.

Beyond medical treatment, he called on communities to stop stigmatising people with hearing impairment, warning that discrimination fuels isolation and mental health problems.

Dr. Ja’afar said addressing Nigeria’s hearing crisis will require a collective effort involving individuals, families, health workers, and policymakers.