A Clinical Audiologist, Dr Afolabi Simeon, has urged persons with hearing impairment to take advantage of cochlear implant to treat severe to profound hearing loss.
Simeon, an Authorised Cochlear™ Nuclues® Distributor in Nigeria, who made the assertion at a briefing in Lagos on Sunday said that cases of hearing loss with its ugly consequences were on the increase.
He lamented that in Nigeria, less than five per cent of affected people had access to cochlear implant.
“Different circumstances and factors limit their access to the treatment.
“Providing cochlear implant is a way to help people with hearing impairment and loss especially those that do not benefit from hearing aids.”
Simeon said that Cochlear™ Nuclues® was committed to providing local support for Nigerians struggling with hearing loss.
According to him, Cochlear™ Nuclues® implant programmes took place recently at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State; National Hospital Abuja and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Lagos State.
He said that Cochlear™ Nuclues® had so far implanted no fewer than 55 persons, both adults and children.
“We don’t really have any other option, but to provide the cochlear implant and make it available for those with profound hearing loss to hear and succeed in their career.
“Cochlear saves Nigerians with hearing impairment from the cost of travelling abroad for surgery and implant by providing the services in the country.
“This helps those with hearing loss regain their hearing abilities and the goal is to make this a reality to as many people that have hearing difficulties, including children and adults.
“We partnered with Cochlear Limited with headquarters in Australia, the global leader and manufacturers of implantable hearing devices.
“They are supporting the nation with a good structure for the Sub- Sahara Africa region with the regional office in Dubai under the supervision of Mr Davide Profeta, Area Sales Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa.
“We have mentor surgeons who perform these surgeries and also train the ENT surgeons in our local hospitals.’’
On the consequences of hearing impairments, Simeon said they include poor performance at school, low output at workplaces, accidents, including domestic and road accidents among others.
He urged the government, public-spirited individuals and organisations to come to the aid of people with hearing impairment and loss by supporting them financially.
Also, Dr Abiodun Olusesi, Head, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department, National Hospital Abuja, said that many people were coming down with hearing impairment.
“Now the statistics from my clinic here in Abuja is that out of every 10 people who present with hearing loss in the clinic, three require hearing aid.
“Three of them require ear surgery to improve their hearing; that’s non-implant ear surgery and then the remaining four out of 10 will require cochlear implant.
“But the patients are mostly too poor to procure hearing aid and sometimes, you have children like that being withdrawn from school,’’ he said.
Dr Olawale Olubi, ENT Consultant, LASUTH, also lamented the increasing cases of hearing loss in the country.
Olubi, who is the Head of the team in charge of cochlear implant in Lagos, said: “The statistics of those who need hearing aid are about 25 per cent of the population.
“Being deaf is like taking the environment away from a person. So, the person uses the eyes a lot and gets distracted.
“Many people are not hearing, but they still go about; that’s why a lot of people are not doing well in school, in their workplaces and people having accidents.
“Many things happen because they don’t use the hearing aid and can’t afford it but we try to reduce their affordability by bringing the cochlear implant to Nigeria,” Olubi said.