Director of Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, made this announcement during an online media briefing in Jakarta, Monday.
"(This is) especially (important) for (detecting) hearing impairments starting from newborns. We conduct hearing tests and screenings at school age. After that, hearing tests also become a part of CKG for adults and the elderly," Tarmizi remarked.
According to Tarmizi, hearing loss can be attributed to congenital conditions, earwax blockages, habits, and lifestyle, with loud music being a prevalent cause among young individuals.
She highlighted the importance of addressing hearing impairments with the utmost seriousness, as they can negatively impact children's academic performance.
At the same event, Acting Director General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) at the Ministry of Health, Yudhi Pramono, remarked that based on a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.57 billion people worldwide experience hearing loss. It is the third leading cause of disability globally.
"Currently, more than five percent of the world's population, or around 430 million people, need hearing rehabilitation, including around 34 million children," he pointed out.
According to Pramono, 2.5 billion people are projected to experience some level of hearing loss by 2050, and at least 700 million will require hearing rehabilitation.
Additionally, the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey revealed that 0.4 percent of individuals over one year of age have hearing disabilities, with 4.1 percent using hearing aids, indicating that four out of every 100 people in Indonesia use hearing aids.
"In children under five, ear infections are one of the most common causes of hearing loss, with an estimated 22.6 percent of cases caused by Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM),” he stated.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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