90% kids receiving ear treatment under 17

The highest penetration of severe to profound hearing loss in the Middle East is in children between the ages three and 17, according to a survey conducted by Cochlear, a global leader in hearing solutions.

The survey findings released in Q1 of 2014 point that 90 per cent of children who receive hearing treatments in the Middle East are under the age of 17.

The Cochlear survey has respondents from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Syria.

Against the rise in hearing loss cases and the demand for intervention and appropriate management in the region, the Cochlear Middle East office opened at Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), on April 23, 2014.

The regional office at DHCC, a health and wellness destination that brings together a wealth of services in healthcare, medical education and research, will offer diagnosis and treatment of hearing disabilities. It will also have a support centre, mirroring the global training Cochlear Academy in Mechelen, Belgium.

Professionals including surgeons, audiologists, speech therapists, and teachers of the deaf, among others, will benefit from the training in the field of implants and prosthetics, and Cochlear’s research arrangements with more than 100 international universities.

Cochlear expertise and studies conclude that cases of hearing loss, even those present from birth (known as congenital deafness), can be diagnosed with early screening programmes, and are treatable. Around half of all cases of congenital deafness could be attributed to genetic factors and interfamilial marriage – both causes common in the Middle East.

Hearing loss at birth or in early childhood can directly reduce a child’s ability to communicate, delay spoken language development, and impact on social and emotional levels.

These concerns are amplified in the Middle East for an increasing number of parents.

Further the World Health Organization states that the current production of hearing aids meets less than 10 per cent of global need.

Marwan Abedin, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Healthcare City, said: “Cochlear’s regional office will address the incidence of hearing loss in the UAE and region, and provide integral training support. Its operations reflect DHCC’s focus on healthcare delivery in tandem with medical education.”

Richard Brook, President, Cochlear, EMEA & Latin America, said: “Established in 1981 in Australia, Cochlear has pioneered the global development of implantable hearing solutions. Cochlear has retained its global leadership via a relentless commitment to technology innovation, device reliability, best hearing performance and excellent customer support. The opening of Cochlear in Dubai Healthcare City will boost treatment options among hearing impaired patients whether children, adults or senior citizens. The office will also introduce Cochlear’s latest range of products.”

 Image from shutterstock

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