Ear and Hearing Day to focus on elders

The Ear and Hearing Day would be observed for the first time in Sri Lanka today. The Ear and Hearing Day, declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), is commemorated annually on March 3. The events in the island related to the day would be spearheaded by the Health Ministry.

This year's event would focus on safeguarding the hearing ability of elders. As part of the events, the Ministry would conduct programs to educate elders on hearing disorders. According to the Health Ministry, a survey conducted by the WHO in 2001 covering 50 MOH Divisions in Sri Lanka has revealed that about nine percent of Sri Lanka's population suffers from hearing problems.

Ten percent of the island's total population comprise elders and about three percent of them suffer from hearing problems. By 2030, over 22 percent of the total population will be elders.