The Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist at Bechem Government Hospital in the Ahafo region has advised parents, particularly mothers, to send their babies for hearing screening if they are unable to recognise and calm to a parent’s voice three months after birth.
Mr. Emmanuel Asiedu, the facility’s director, stated that the screening was important because it would allow doctors to closely monitor your child’s hearing and, if there is a hearing problem, treatment should begin as soon as possible.
”Babies with hearing loss will not respond to sounds, and their language development may be delayed,” the specialist explained. Hearing milestones for babies in their first year of life include: by three months, a baby recognises and calms to a parent’s voice. By six months, babies are turning their heads or eyes towards new sounds and repeating sounds. At age 1, they should be able to make babbling sounds, respond to their name, imitate words, and possibly say a few words.”
”If, by three months, the baby is unable to make any movement throughout the six months and twelve months, you should send the baby to see a specialist so they can be examined and treatment can begin if there is a problem,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, he has advised against cleaning the ear with objects such as pen tops and cotton buds.
When experiencing ear pain, it is best to consult a specialist if you experience unusual movements or the ear feels itchy.
”Avoid putting anything in your ears. That is not a medically sound practice. If you have itchy or painful ears, go to the hospital and have a specialist examine them.”
The specialist advised those who use their hands-free excessively to reduce their use in order to protect their ears.
Ny: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
