Effort to help children with hearing loss announced at Dubai conference

DUBAI // Undiagnosed thyroid conditions and free medical treatment for deaf children from low-income families were two major themes to emerge from a Dubai conference on ear, nose and throat conditions.

Improved access to medical care for children with hearing loss was announced at the annual Emirates Otorhinolaryngology Audiology and Communication Disorders Congress.

The Help Me Hear initiative, backed by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, will provide support to deaf children by making free treatment available.

Although hearing tests for newborns are compulsory in all government hospitals, this is not the case in private hospitals, where most births take place.

“The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of children to communicate and reintegrate into society, which in turn will contribute to the sustainable development of the country,” said Dr Hussein Al Rand, the ministry’s assistant undersecretary for health centres and clinics.

“This will be done through covering the cost of operations and implants, depending on the situation,” he said.

“The campaign will initially be limited to children already residing in the UAE and will be supported by manufacturers of audio device implants and charities.”

A cochlear implant operation can be performed on deaf babies at six months of age to give the child the best chance of developing normal speech, but operations and follow-up care can cost at least Dh150,000.

Hearing loss is understood to affect 4 per cent of the UAE population. Free treatment will be offered to deaf children whose families cannot afford procedures, especially those who are not citizens or who are from low-income families.

Other figures released at the conference revealed 5 per cent of the UAE population was believed to have thyroid disease, which can lead to weight gain, fatigue, depression or an inability to regulate body temperature. Symptoms can be misdiagnosed, so getting patients the correct treatment can be problematic, with some sufferers unaware they have the condition.

“Sufferers of hyperthyroidism tend to be dismissive of their symptoms,” said Dr Ahmed Alhaj Saleh, a consultant of internal medicine at Medeor 24x7 Hospital, Dubai, which is offering free checks for patients.

“With everyone keen to lose a few kilograms, the rapid weight loss associated with the condition is welcomed.

“Most don’t know the reason for this is actually an underlying health condition.”

Thyroid-associated conditions can be diagnosed through a blood test and ultrasound, with conditions regulated through medication and diet changes.

nwebster@thenational.ae