- Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi launches deaf awareness campaign
- Date: 10th December 2013
- Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (RECENT) (REUTERS) SCREEN SHOWING FILM WITH A GIRL WHO HAS COCHLEAR IMPLANTS VARIOUS OF CHILDREN WALKING IN TO ROOM WHO HAVE COCHLEAR IMPLANTS VARIOUS OF GIRL WITH COCHLEAR IMPLANT CONFERENCE BANNER READING IN ARABIC 'THE FIRST ANNUAL SAUDI AWARENESS DAY ON HEARING LOSS AND COCHLEAR IMPLANTS' VIEW OF STAGE DR. ABDUL RAHMAN HAJAR, DIRECTOR OF KING ABDULLAH EAR SPECIALIST CENTRE, ADDRESSING CONFERENCE SLIDE ON SCREEN EXPLAINING THE IMPORTANCE OF SIGHT AND HEARING ATTENDEES APPLAUDING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DOCTOR ABDUL RAHMAN HAJAR, DIRECTOR OF KING ABDULLAH EAR SPECIALIST CENTRE, SAYING: "Saudi Arabia has a high percentage of hearing disability compared to many other countries, because in developed countries intermarriage is rare. In Saudi Arabia almost 60 percent of marriage are between relatives and this raises the proportion of such conditions.'' CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS SPEAKER ON STAGE INGEBORG HOCHMAIR, DEVELOPER OF FIRST MULTI-CHANNEL COCHLEAR IMPLANT, LISTENING WOMEN LISTENING TO SPEAKER AUDIENCE APPLAUDING CONFERENCE BANNER ON SCREEN HOCHMAIR SPEAKING TO ATTENDEES (SOUNDBITE) (English) INGEBORG HOCHMAIR, DEVELOPER OF FIRST MULTI-CHANNEL COCHLEAR IMPLANT, SAYING: ''It is critically important, it is a life changing device. If you can't hear you are kind of excluded from society and from communication in society because you can't communicate with the majority of the people who can't sign and and it will change your life if you receive an implant and the therapy." HOCHMAIR SPEAKING TO REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) INGEBORG HOCHMAIR, DEVELOPER OF FIRST MULTI-CHANNEL COCHLEAR IMPLANT, SAYING: ''Deafness is a big challenge in this country and worldwide already 320 thousands such patients use such devices, here it's with the deaf-born children, and that's the most obvious task, but of course also adults need these devices." VARIOUS OF SCREEN SHOWING ICAN SLOGAN
- Embargoed: 25th December 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Saudi Arabia
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Topics: Health
- Reuters ID: LVA6WHX94HWRXEATFMY866Y91LQ6
- Story Text: Saudi Arabia recently launched a campaign to raise awareness about hearing loss in the kingdom.
At a conference in Riyadh, attended by doctors and researchers in the field, children who have received cochlear implants were applauded as they entered the room.
The event was organised by the King Abdullah Ear Specialist Center.
The centre's director, Doctor Abdul Rahman Hajar, said Saudi Arabia has a high number of people who are deaf or suffer from hearing impairments because of intermarriage in the society.
"Saudi Arabia has a high percentage of hearing disability compared to many other countries, because in developed countries intermarriage is rare. In Saudi Arabia almost 60 percent of marriage are between relatives and this raises the proportion of such conditions," said Hajar.
Hajar, who has already fitted around 700 cochlear implants, said around 1000 implants need to be fitted every year.
Doctors say early detection is crucial in diagnosing and treating those with hearing impairments especially with newborn babies.
The conference's organisers said awareness could help better integrate those with hearing problems in the society.
Austrian engineer Ingeborg Hochmair developed the first multi-channel cochlear implant in the 1970's. She described the device as being 'life changing'.
''It is critically important, it is a life changing device. If you can't hear you are kind of excluded from society and from communication in society because you can't communicate with the majority of the people who can't sign and and it will change your life if you receive an implant and the therapy," she said.
''Deafness is a big challenge in this country and worldwide already 320 thousands such patients use such devices, here it's with the deaf-born children, and that's the most obvious task, but of course also adults need these devices," she added.
Each operation costs around 200,000 Saudi Riyals, or 53,000 U.S dollars.
The operations are usually funded by the Saudi government. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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