Over 5 percent of the world’s population, 360 million people has disabling hearing loss, said a survey report conducted by World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to another report, published in 2007, over 9 percent of population of Bangladesh is suffering from variable degrees of hearing loss like mild, moderate, severe or profound leading to disability.
“Many children are born deaf because of genetic reason”, Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Dr Pran Gopal Dutta told BSS. He stressed the need for public awareness to prevent hearing loss. Deafness can also be caused by complications during pregnancy. Illnesses such as rubella, meningitis, measles and mumps can cause a child to be born deaf, said Dr Pran Gopal, an ENT (ear, nose and throat) expert.
“Middle ear infection is the main and common reason of deafness in our country”, said Professor Dr M Abul Hasnat Joarder of BSMMU.
