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The frequent use of earpieces and headphones on high volumes for prolonged periods can cause gradual or instant hearing loss.

Mrs Rhoda Binney, a Principal Nursing Officer, Ear, Throat and Nose (ENT) at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, has said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA).

She said it was, therefore, necessary for people who used earpieces to take breaks in between and keep the volume of the gadget and the earpiece below 60 percent.

Mrs Binney said the consistent exposure to loud sounds could cause hearing loss, especially when the sound level was above 80 decibels.

“If the normal volume of hearing around us is more than 70 decibels, it causes an effect on our hearing, because the loud noise damages the hair cells in the inner ear that picks sound to the brain for interpretation.”

As Ghana joins the world to observe World Hearing Day (WHD) today, March 03, she encouraged the public to visit the hospitals to have their ear checked because ENT care was under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

World Hearing Day is celebrated on March 3 every year to share information and promote actions towards the prevention of hearing loss and improved hearing care.

“To hear for life, listen with care” is the theme for this year’s World Hearing Day.

For this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) called on governments, industry partners and civil society to raise awareness for and implement evidence-based standards that would promote safe listening.

The Principal Nursing Officer also urged the public to avoid inserting foreign objects like cotton buds, pen tops, feathers, match sticks, Bobbie pins and broomsticks in the ear because they could damage the eardrum and cause hearing loss.