There are more hearing and ear problems in Fiji compared to other countries in the region.
CWM Hospital Ears, Nose and Throat Specialist also known as ENT Specialist, Doctor Oh Chunghyeon says around 80,000 Fijians or 9.6% of the population are living with hearing impairment which he considers disabling.
He adds that according to hearing and ear disease screening in Fiji, ear disease is 3-5 times greater than other Australasian countries.
With World Hearing Day being commemorated tomorrow, Doctor Chunghyeon says that in Fiji it has been observed that last year school-aged children have been treated for bilateral or unilateral deafness after meningitis, mumps or rubella infection.
He also highlighted that Fiji has a big burden of hearing loss and ear disease.
Doctor Chunghyeon says now, technology is available to detect hearing and ear problems and intervention is available.
He also hopes that every Fijian, especially children can access hearing and ear disease screening programs and quality ear clinic services and that every health facility can provide quality primary ear and hearing care as 60% of childhood hearing loss is preventable.
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