Karachi: Professor Dr. Zeba Ahmed has stated that excessive use of betel leaves, areca nuts, gutka, intoxicants, mobile phones, bluetooth devices, earbuds, and hands-free equipment emitting radiation is causing hearing impairments. The unregulated noise of traffic is also a form of pollution that requires measures on government level to be addressed. She expressed these views during a seminar held to mark World Hearing Day, organized by the collaboration of Dow University of Health Sciences and Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital. The seminar was chaired by Dr. Zeba Ahmed, Head of the ENT Department, Unit 1, at Civil Hospital.
The event was attended by Dr. Tariq Zahid Khan, Dr. Tehmina Junaid, Dr. Sadaf Zia, faculty members, postgraduate trainees, and a large number of students. Additionally, Dr. Khalid Bukhari, Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital, and Professor Saba Sohail, Principal of Dow Medical College, graced the event as chief guests.
During the seminar, ENT residents discussed various ear-related diseases, their diagnosis, and treatments. Statistical data for surgical treatments of ear inflammation (CSOM) over the last year were presented. It was revealed that from January 2024 to March 1, 2025, 100 CSOM patients underwent surgery at Civil Hospital Karachi, with 69% treated in Unit 1 and 31% in Unit 2. The seminar highlighted that delays in treating ear pain or inflammation lead to the necessity of surgery, and in some cases, patients experience complete hearing loss. Many patients approach doctors only at the final stage of their illness, necessitating the use of hearing aids.
Speaking on World Hearing Day, Professor Dr. Zeba Ahmed shared that the day was first observed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2007. She noted that this day serves as a reminder of hearing care facilities globally, focusing on disease prevention, therapy, and rehabilitation methods to preserve hearing. Dr. Zeba emphasized the importance of preventive measures recommended by WHO, which begin at home. She stated that training and awareness about hearing care should start within households.
She also pointed out numerous causes of hearing loss, including congenital defects in newborns due to measles, upper respiratory infections in children, and chronic skin diseases that damage the eardrum, leading to a condition known as cholesteatoma.
Following the seminar, an awareness walk was organized from the ENT ward at Civil Hospital to the clock tower of Dow Medical College. The walk concluded under the leadership of Dr. Saba Sohail, during which purple balloons were released into the sky in line with the theme of World Hearing Day.