ENT specialist advocates collective action to tackle growing hearing disorders in Nigeria
By Ahmed Ahmed
Dr. Auwal Bappah Ja’afar, an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) consultant at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, has called for stronger collaboration among parents, communities, and government authorities to curb the rising cases of hearing disorders in the country.
Speaking on Thursday in Bauchi, Dr. Ja’afar stressed that early identification and treatment remain crucial, especially because many hearing-related complications begin in childhood.
He urged parents to promptly seek medical attention whenever they notice symptoms such as ear discharge, reduced hearing ability, or persistent ringing in the ears. “Early intervention is key.
The earlier a problem is picked up, the easier it is to manage,” he said.
The specialist also warned against harmful lifestyle habits that contribute to hearing loss, including prolonged exposure to loud music, noisy social environments, and unprotected work in high-noise settings.
He encouraged the use of protective devices in such workplaces, describing them as essential for long-term hearing preservation.
Dr. Ja’afar urged the government to adopt stronger policies supporting hearing health, including improved antenatal services, routine newborn hearing screenings, and early treatment for children showing signs of hearing impairment before significant language development begins.
He also emphasized the need for continuous training of healthcare workers to ensure that every local government has a skilled ear-care provider capable of assessing patients and referring complex cases.
Expressing concern over the high cost of treatments such as cochlear implants, he appealed for government subsidy programs to ease the financial burden on families.
Beyond medical interventions, Dr. Ja’afar called on communities to eliminate stigma against people with hearing impairments, noting that discrimination often leads to emotional distress and isolation.
He concluded that preventing and managing hearing disorders is a shared responsibility requiring coordinated efforts from families, health workers, community leaders, and policymakers.
