NMC one of the largest private healthcare company in Oman launched its Hearing awareness Initiative with a Cochlear Implant surgery performed on a four year old, the first time a surgery was conducted in the private health care sector in the Sultanate of Oman. After the cochlear implant the child will undergo speech therapy for almost 2 years.According to WHO by 2050 about 2.5 billion people are expected to suffer from hearing loss. Early detection of hearing impairment ,early intervention,timely access and improvement in quality of life leads to a productive life for a hearing impaired individual . A ceremony was held under the auspices of Her Highness Sayyida Meyyan bint Shihab al Said.

Credit The Arabian Stories

According to WHO in children almost 60% of hearing loss occurs due to causes that can be prevented through measures such as immunization, improved maternal and neonatal care and screening.

Credit The Arabian Stories

Even continuous exposure to high noise can cause hearing disability. NMC Healthcare ,under the patronage of Her Highness Sayyida Meyyan bint Shihab al Said ,is embarking on a campaign for raising awareness on hearing, provision and access to hearing rehabilitation for individuals using assistive devices like hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Contributed by Professor Dr Nazia Mumtaz

PhD Rehabilitation Sciences