BMH to serve people with hearing impairment

DODOMA-based Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) plans to introduce hearing aid fitting service, sound amplifying devices designed for people with hearing impairment.

Hearing instrument specialist at the BMH, Mr Leonard Evarist, noted here yesterday that BMH through its ENT clinic has already introduced medical diagnosis for people with hearing impairment.

“People who are at risk of hearing impairment are those working in noisy environments for a long-time including musicians,” said the audiologist.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), hearing loss may be mild, moderate, severe or profound. It can affect one or both ears, and leads to difficulty in hearing.

Mr Evarist pointed out further that hearing aid accessories include hearing aid batteries which helps people with hearing impairment to hear.

“Meanwhile, people with hearing impairment can attend to the BMH for medical diagnosis to determine the level of hearing while hearing aid instruments are in procurement process,” said Mr Evarist,

As for musicians, he said, those who do not use ear plugs when performing or recording are at risk of getting hearing impairment because the sound is loud hence affects ear drum.

He asked people with hearing impairment to attend the ENT Clinic of the BMH for medical check-up and consultation on how to protect their ears.

Earlier this year, the ENT Clinic introduced speech therapy to provide treatment to people experiencing speech disorder and communication problems.

Mr Evarist informed that speech therapy is beneficial to children and adults with communication disorders. It can also help people with hearing impairment or those who have difficulty swallowing.