EDITORIAL - Message from the deaf

Modern living can be rough on the ears. Pounding music blares from stereos. Cell phones, Walkmans, sensurround, loud TV, even the daily noise of traffic guarantee that abused eardrums will start malfunctioning at an early age. Many Filipinos suffer from varying degrees of deafness, but this is often considered a health problem only when it becomes a serious impairment. Such hearing problems can be prevented, treated or eased with hearing aids. Many hearing-impaired Filipinos, however, can’t afford treatment.

Another problem is that many of the Filipinos suffering from deafness are children. Up to 34,000 children are classified as deaf while 170,000 are hard of hearing. A number of these children were born deaf due to causes including heredity, brain damage, or the mother’s poor health during pregnancy. Deafness can also be acquired at an early age from accidents or ear injuries, over-medication, poor hygiene, acute illnesses and German measles.

Over the years public awareness of hearing disabilities has led to assistance for the hearing-impaired. There’s still much room for improvement, however. Today caps the nation’s observance of Deaf Awareness Week. The Federation of Agencies for the Deaf, which spearheaded programs throughout the week, has identified certain areas where reforms can be undertaken to prevent deafness and assist the hearing-impaired. There is an acute lack of qualified teachers and educational institutions for deaf children. Vaccination of children against German measles needs a more aggressive push. Also being encouraged are ear inspection and hearing tests for all children entering first grade.

Organizations for the deaf are endorsing the passage of legislation that will widen the use of closed captions for TV programs such as news, wholesome entertainment and educational shows. The groups are proposing the regulation of prescriptions for hearing aids. They want additional government support for access to hearing aids and speech rehabilitation for the deaf. The groups are also pushing for livelihood and equal employment opportunities for the hearing-impaired.

Agencies for the deaf are pushing for a more aggressive information campaign on deafness and ear hygiene. They want to get the message out: deafness can be prevented and treated, and the hearing-impaired can use additional help.