*Acting CMD Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja Highlights Importance of Hearing Care at World Hearing Day Celebration*

LOKOJA – The Acting Chief Medical Director of Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, Dr. Ojochide Sunday Ebune has emphasized the need for adequate care of the Ear.

Dr.Ebune made the remark in a message to the commemoration of World hearing Day 2026 organized in collaboration with Oma Ear care and speech foundation at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja.

The acting CMD who was epresented by Dr. Mrs. Patricia Medukpin, Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee,  emphasized the need for hearing care, especially for children.

The event, themed "From Communities To ClassRooms: Hearing care for Every Child", aimed to raise awareness about hearing care.

Dr. Ebune noted that many people take their ears for granted and use harmful objects to clean them, causing damage. "We often use various objects to clean our ears, unaware of the damage we're causing," he  said.

He expressed gratitude to Oma Ear Care and Speech Foundation for organizing the event, saying it's a good thing they're creating awareness about hearing care. The celebration included hearing checks, and he hoped it would become an annual event.

The event highlighted the importance of prioritizing hearing care, especially for children.

In his remarks,Mr.Ezekiel Omale, Co-Host of the program and representative of Oma Ear Care and Speech Foundation, highlighted the importance of hearing care at the World Hearing Day 2026 celebration. 

He explained that the event is aimed at raising awareness about hearing care and its impact on education, employment, and relationships.

Mr. Omale explained that Oma Ear Care and Speech Foundation is committed to improving access to ear care, educating people, and providing speech therapy services. He noted that hearing loss is a significant problem in Nigeria, affecting millions of people, and can lead to social withdrawal, communication challenges, and limited opportunities.

According to Mr.. Omale, the foundation's work is crucial in Kogi State, where many children are brought to the clinic at the age of five with speech delays due to undiagnosed hearing loss. He emphasized the need for early identification and intervention, saying that screening all newborns can help identify hearing problems early on.

The World Health Organization estimates that 430 million people worldwide have some form of hearing problem, with 40 million in Africa and 8.5 million in Nigeria. Dr. Omale stressed that hearing care is not just about ears, but also about speech, language, and communication. He highlighted the foundation's speech therapy unit, which provides rehabilitation services for stroke patients and children with speech delays.

Mr.Omale called for collaboration to address the gap in hearing care in Kogi State, citing the need for more awareness, outreach programs, and structured sensitization initiatives. 

He expressed optimism that Oma Ear Care and Speech Foundation can make a difference in the lives of people with hearing challenges and invited everyone to support their efforts.

Dr. Oyebode Fadare David, Consultant Ear, Nose, and Throat Department at Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, warned against the use of earpieces, citing the risk of hearing damage. He emphasized that the constant use of earpieces, especially at high volumes, can lead to hearing loss, ear discomfort, and other complications.

Dr. David explained that the problem with earpieces is not the device itself, but the tendency to turn up the volume too high, which can cause damage to the eardrum and inner ear. He advised people to use speakers or headphones instead, as they distribute sound more evenly and are less likely to cause damage.

The consultant also warned against exposure to loud noise, whether from earpieces, speakers, or other sources, saying it can cause permanent damage to the ears. He advised people to use earmuffs or earplugs to protect their ears in noisy environments, such as markets or construction sites.

Dr. David emphasized the importance of seeking medical attention immediately if unusual sounds or discomfort are experienced in the ear. He also advised against inserting objects into the ear, saying it can push earwax deeper and cause impaction.

The consultant urged people to prioritize their hearing health, saying it's better to be safe than sorry. He encouraged people to adopt healthy habits, such as regular hearing checks and avoiding loud noise, to protect their hearing and prevent related complications.

Highlights of the event was free testing and treatment for those with hearing problems.

Hassan Abubakar -Editor.