To encourage more people to take care of their ear and hearing health, otorhinolaryngologists are championing a campaign to change mindsets about hearing disorders. Speaking on the 2025 World Hearing Day theme, “Changing Mindsets: Empower Yourself to Make Ear and Hearing Care a Reality for All,” the Head of the Department and Consultant of ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Professor Matilda Uju Ibekwe, emphasized that “hearing problems are diseases, not nuisances.” She highlighted that this mindset shift is essential for enabling people to seek the necessary care for their ears.
Professor Ibekwe, a head and throat surgeon (otorhinolaryngologist), elaborated on common activities that can trigger hearing conditions or diseases. These include being hit or slapped on the ear, exposure to loud sounds, using harmful objects, and poking the ears. She also noted that improper ear care can contribute to hearing problems.
Some of the hearing conditions she listed include ear discharge, infections, and inflammatory conditions that require specialist care. Professor Ibekwe urged people to seek clinical care promptly when faced with ear or hearing problems. She advised accessing local or primary healthcare centers first, and if advanced care is needed, patients can be referred to tertiary centers like UPTH. She also warned against self-medication, emphasizing that it can cause further damage to ear health.
