Delegates all ears at global conference on hearing problems

Filipino delegates who attended a global conference on hearing problems in Manila were all ears during the two-day event that discussed the need for a national policy to address has been described as the “silent sickness.”

“It’s an eye-opener for us in the Philippines. It helped us see what we can do for the hearing-impaired… That’s very important,” ENT doctor Norberto Martinez told the Inquirer on the sidelines of the conference at the University of Santo Tomas.

Martinez, who helped his American counterparts organize the program, hoped that the Department of Health would create a national policy to address hearing problems as a result of the conference.

“If you prevent it, you would have solved 50 percent of the problem. Fifty percent is a big chunk, it doesn’t cost much because it’s just public awareness campaign,” he said.

Martinez said it is also important for people to be aware that noise can damage the ears as much as wearing headphones, taking the wrong medication and having ear infection.

Through a national policy, programs can be integrated together so it could trickle down to those who need it, he said.

About 400 delegates from different countries attended the conference, including doctors, teachers, therapists and representatives from nongovernmental organizations.