Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Audiology, in cooperation with Üsküdar Municipality, organized a “Hearing Screening Event” as part of March 3 World Hearing Day. Hearing tests were conducted as part of the well-received event. In addition to raising awareness about hearing health, educational activities for the early diagnosis and prevention of hearing loss were carried out.
The event, held in Üsküdar Square, was attended by Head of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Audiology, Asst. Prof. Dr. Didem Şahin, Lecturers Yeter Saçlı and Gökçe Gültekin, Research Assistant Busemnaz Avşar Aksu, and department students.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Didem Şahin: “Our aim is to raise social awareness”
Speaking at the event, Head of the Audiology Department, Asst. Prof. Dr. Didem Şahin, stated that the aim of the event was to raise social awareness. Şahin said, “Our primary goal in this event is not only to prevent hearing loss but also to identify individuals with hearing loss and direct them to appropriate centers for necessary examinations.”
“Headphone use at younger ages significantly increases the risk of hearing loss”
Dr. Şahin emphasized that hearing loss can occur in different age groups, stating; “Three out of every thousand births result in babies with hearing loss. We can perform hearing assessments even on 24-hour-old babies. In addition to cases detected immediately after birth, certain genetic factors or diseases like middle ear problems can cause hearing loss in childhood. Furthermore, the habit of listening to loud music and watching movies with headphones has significantly increased among children and young people today. The decrease in the average age of headphone use significantly increases the risk of hearing loss. Age-related hearing loss already begins in the mid-30s. Therefore, hearing problems can be observed across a wide spectrum, from newborns to elderly individuals.”
"We are trying to break the prejudice against hearing aids"
Dr. Şahin pointed out that hearing aids are not adequately used due to aesthetic concerns, stating; “Because hearing loss is an invisible disability, necessary precautions and treatments are neglected or delayed. Those who don't neglect it, however, refuse to use hearing aids due to aesthetic concerns. However, these devices should be accepted just like eyeglasses. With this awareness project, we are trying to both identify individuals with hearing loss, convey methods for protecting healthy hearing, and break the prejudice against hearing aids.”
In the event organized in cooperation with Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Üsküdar Municipality, awareness was raised regarding hearing health.
Moreover, important information was provided regarding the early diagnosis and prevention of hearing loss.
In the highly popular event, hearing screenings were conducted for various age groups.