Karachi, At a seminar held by the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) at Dow University of Health Sciences, experts revealed that around 14.5 million people in Pakistan are affected by varying degrees of hearing impairment. This figure is part of a broader global context where hearing loss impacts approximately 1.5 billion individuals worldwide, a situation expected to worsen by 2050 with projections of 2.5 billion people affected.

According to Dow University of Health Sciences, the seminar, coinciding with World Hearing Day, saw participation from numerous specialists including Prof. Atif Hafeez Siddiqui, Shakeel Ahmad Khan, Dr. Aqeel ur Rahman, Dr. Syed Akbar Abbas, Dr. Sidra Kaleem Jafri, and Dr. Mahaynima Memon, who discussed the escalating issue of hearing loss due to factors like noise pollution and general carelessness. They stressed the urgency for public awareness, particularly among youth, to adopt safer listening practices to prevent future hearing loss.

Experts identified key factors contributing to the problem in Pakistan, such as injuries, loud environments, and earwax buildup, and highlighted the significant societal, economic, and personal impacts of untreated hearing loss. They urged immediate consultation with specialists for even minor hearing issues to prevent long-term consequences. The seminar also underscored the critical global rise in hearing impairment forecasted by the World Health Organization, with an anticipated need for rehabilitation services for hundreds of millions in the coming decades.

The event included detailed discussions on hearing impairment’s impact on child development, communication challenges, and preventive strategies to ensure auditory health across the lifespan. Alongside the seminar, a themed walk emphasized the community’s solidarity in addressing and mitigating hearing loss.