​According to the World Health Organisation, WHO's statistics, over 5 percent or of the World population or 466 million people experience hearing loss, 34 million of whom are children. What is more concerning is that 1 point 1 billion young people aged between 12 to 35 years are at high risk of experiencing hearing loss due to prolonged and excessive exposure to loud sounds. The Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, who is also the Acting Minister of Health said that hearing loss is expected to increase to approximately 630 million of the world population in 2030, and 900 million in 2050. Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yusof explained the matter at the World Hearing Day 2019 celebration held yesterday morning.

Yang Berhormat Dato added that with the increased and prolonged use of audio devices such as headphones and others, the WHO is working with the International Telecommunication Union, I-T-U in developing the Toolkit for Safe Listening Devices and Systems as a new international standard for the manufacture and use of these devices, apart from raising awareness on the risks of exposure to excessive noise. WHO also released the 'hearW.H.O' app which can be downloaded for free. The app allows individuals to check and monitor their hearing status. The launching of the app is in line with the theme for this year's World Hearing Day 2019: Check Your Hearing!. Yang Berhormat Dato also urges all individual to check their hearing from time-to-time, particularly those who are at high risk of hearing loss such as senior citizens, those who engage themselves in excessive noise either at work or recreational activities.

Among the objective of the event were to raise awareness and understanding on issues related to hearing loss. The main activity was 1.5 kilometre walk "March for Hearing" where participants walked wearing ear plugs that reduces the surrounding noises. Other activities included games and exhibition from various agencies.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect

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