Health

Srinagar, Jan 19 : Keeping earphones plugged in for a long time may cause hearing problems in the long run, experts have warned.

According to medical professionals, the main issue with headphones or earphones is the loudness to ears as well as their prolonged use.

“Earphones are capable of creating very loud levels of sound very close to the ear and so are quite harmful,” Dr Irfan Ul Shamas, a prominent ENT expert in the valley, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). He said it is not only about the loudness of the headphones, but also about the duration, the earphones are plugged in.

Dr Shamas said they are not witnessing any major cases of hearing loss currently in Kashmir. However, there are more chances of ‘Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss’ (ONIHL) due to high volume or prolonged use of earphones or headphones, he added.

Speaking about the ONIHL scenario, Dr Shamas said this typical hearing loss happens at a frequency of 4000 Hz, and in its early stage, a person cannot hear sounds like the noise of birds or the sound of flowing water. “One should not continue the prolonged use of headphones or earphones or at high decibels as its excessive usage will definitely cause Noise Induce Hearing Loss,” he said.

The ENT specialist strictly warned against the use of earphones or headphones by younger people, especially children, saying young people, especially students, are at a potentially high risk of getting affected by ‘Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss’ due to excessive and prolonged use of hearing gadgets.

Sharing his clinical experience, he highlighted that people from the coppersmith profession are also vulnerable to hearing loss as a maximum of their work without any ear-protecting gear.

“When coppersmiths are at work, the sound of short burst sound goes to ear as high as 120 decibels levels. However, if they use protective gear like ear plugs or at a minimum with cotton with Vaseline that can give them protection to a certain level,” he said.

Notably, an observational research study was conducted by a team of valley-based doctors in the department of ENT & HNS of the government medical college Srinagar and SMHS hospital for a period of two years from Aug 2011 to Oct 2013, in which a total of 158 patients were included in the study who were exposed to audiometric analysis apart from clinical examinations.

According to the research, the purpose of that observational study was to evaluate the incidence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) among the local industrial population of Kashmir which is involved in occupations exposed to noise.

In its conclusion report, the research stated that the people who are exposed to the noise of more than 90db for more than 8 hours a day working in local industries of Kashmir have high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss.

Urging the youngsters to limit the use of earphones, and headphones Dr Shamas said those in need to use these alternative hearing gadgets should use them at regular intervals and breaks and keep half of the volume of the total volume capacity.

In another study published in the journal BMJ Global Health in November 2022, research was conducted to determine the prevalence of unsafe listening practices from exposure to personal listening devices (PLDs) and loud entertainment venues in individuals aged 12–34 years, and to estimate the number of young people who could be at risk of hearing loss from unsafe listening worldwide.

The study in its concluding report stated that unsafe listening practices are highly prevalent worldwide and may place over 1 billion young people at risk of hearing loss. It said there is an urgent need to prioritise policy focused on safe listening.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 430 million people worldwide currently have disabling hearing loss. Young people are particularly vulnerable because of their use of personal listening devices (PLDs), such as smartphones, headphones, and earbuds, and attendance at loud music venues, amid poor regulatory enforcement—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 14 : The School Education Department has asked the Head of Institutions of all schools to identify the students involved in cigarette smoking and other drug addiction activities for counselling to eradicate the menace.

The official documents available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) states that the Chief Education Officer (CEO) had said this in a communique to principals, Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) and Headmasters.

The officer has accordingly directed the conduct of Survey and mapping of shops within periphery of 100 yards selling cigarettes or drugs and identifying the students thereof.

“It is our moral obligation to educate the students and society about the adverse effect of drug menace,” the CEO said.

He said that, “If we take the message to the students and society in time we will succeed to grow them into civilised adults.”

The officer has also said that since the teacher is a social activist and has a great role in shaping the civilised society and therefore we should put in our best efforts to free the society from this evil.

In this connection, the CEO advised to conduct surveys and mapping of shops in the periphery of 100 yards of Education institutions. “Send the list of shops selling cigarettes and other ill effective substances to this office within five days positively.”

“It is impressed upon all the Head of Institutions (HoIs) to identify the students involved in cigarette smoking and other drug addiction so that they may be counselled in time and the menace shall automatically get eradicated,” the CEO said—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 14 : In today’s digital world, it seems normal to see our children addicted to their phones, searching for various forms of entertainment and information online. While parents seem to be least bothered about the growing trend, the child experts believe it is equally important for children and adolescents to manage their screen time appropriately before developing smartphone addiction which may affect the mental health of children.

The experts in valley underline a series of the adverse effects of mobile addiction and screen-based technology on children’s psychology in Kashmir. They said that the children and adolescents are witnessing major psychological issues due to mobile addiction, gaming and the widespread use of digital devices in their daily lives.

They further said that early exposure to mobile screen and addiction of gaming may increase one’s susceptibility to developing health problems.

An independent research done by Kashmir based psychological and Child expert Muzzafar Ahmed, Danishwar Rasool Dar, and Dr. Rameez, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) state that the invention of the Mobile Phones, and the peculiar ways in which people are utilising the technology had prompted questions about whether improper usage of it could lead to addiction.

Nearly three years into the COVID-19 pandemic, screen usage has increased exponentially, especially among children, and as per a recent study published in JAMA Paediatrics, the average amount of time children spend staring at screens has risen 52 percent since the beginning of the pandemic.

According to a study conducted by the Kashmiri trio, some of the addictive characteristics in children is excessive permission given by some parents to their children for gaming in order to have some mental peace for a short period of time, and in single child cases, families who do not have anyone to play outdoor games with are showing more interest in mobile gaming to overcome their loneliness.

“Busy parents or Emotional Dependency: In today’s world, most parents are too preoccupied with their jobs and businesses to provide their children with adequate emotional support. Here children are taking emotional support from mobile gaming and becoming dependent,” the study reads. “The addictiveness of smartphones, immersion and role-playing in many games allow players to create their own character, leading them often in a fantasy world that can be heavily influenced by their actions within it.”

It reads: “Players can get highly attached to these characters and the world they live in. Sadly, becoming over-attached to these fantasy worlds can lead to negligence towards real-world responsibilities.”

Dr Muzzafar Ahmed, consultant clinical psychologist at Composite Regional Centre (CRC) Bemina, Srinagar while speaking about the side effects of mobile gaming told KNO that from a psychological perspective, it was found that depression and anxiety are associated with gaming addiction in children, and same findings are reported regarding adults. “Anxiety can be triggered gradually in heavy users when their smart phones are unavailable.”

The study further states that communication problems or a lack of social engagement, attention and concentration problems, behavioural problems, Avoidance of developmental tasks, negative role model issues, habits and disinterest in other aspects of life, and physical problems are all listed as side effects of mobile gaming and fallout of phone addictiveness.

Prof. Dr. Reyaz Malik, a prominent paediatrician in the valley, while expressing concern over the mobile addiction among children, told KNO that excessive usage of mobile screens affects the brain development of the child.

“There is a considerable increase in mobile addiction, not just among children but also among adults, but these smartphones usually leave negative mental health aspects in children because their brains are in developing phase,” Dr. Malik said.

He said there are some signs which parent should be aware which indicate that their children are addicted towards smartphones and on the higher side are improper timing of sleep, being anxious, expressing anger or exhibiting aggressive behavior or prefer isolation.

Urging the parents, Dr. Malik said that parents should set an example by spending time with their families and children after they finish their day’s work.

“Parents should keep their phones away and keep a family time wherein they will speak and be with their kids rather than being on phone, no screen time should be given space during family time. And even if the screen time is permitted, the exposure should be age-based and calculated,” he added.

The study, while mentioning the prevention measures, states that parents should spend a lot of time with their children and always be there for them emotionally, and not let them play video games when they’re with you.

“Make other physical activities or outdoor sports a part of the child’s life as well. If children show some aggressive behaviour, as a parent, you must set boundaries and explain that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable. Be firm and demonstrate that such behavior carries consequences like time-out or being kept away from a favourite activity for the day,” the study reads.

It states that parents should teach their children alternative ways to express their feelings—ways that are socially acceptable and should encourage them to pursue other hobbies and interests, particularly sports and other physical activities—(KNO)

Doda, Jan 10 : At least three people were killed after a vehicle skidded off the road and fell down into 500-ft-deep gorge in Doda district on Tuesday evening.

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that a Tempu traveller (JK02AE-9222) on its way Doda towards Khankoot when reached near Khankoot rolled down from the road and fell into 500-feet-deep George.

“Soon after the incident, a rescue operation was started but unfortunately three people died on the spot”, he said.

He identified the deceased as Mohammad Aslam son of Mohammad Ismail, Mohammad Ishaq son of Mohammad Ibrahim and Mohammad Yaseen son of Ghulam Hassan Wani, all residents of Khankoot.

SSP Doda Abdul Qayoom also confirmed the incident—(KNO)

Bandipora, Jan 09 : A sub health centre in one of the remotest villages of Gurez in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district is without a doctor and paramedics for a long time, locals complained on Monday.

Locals from the Buglinder village of Gurez while complaining about the issue, told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the health centre is inadequately staffed particularly a doctor or a paramedics since a long time due to which patient care had been badly hit.

The locals blamed the concerned authorities for their “insensitive attitude” towards the centre and alleged that it lacks staff including a doctor and paramedics required for its smooth functioning.

“Due to non-availability of the heath staff daily patient care has also been hit badly while pregnant women and elderly ailing people of the area are also facing severe hardships,” one of the locals said.

“It seems that the administration has not done anything good for us yet,” he said, adding that the health center is also without basic facilities which shows the non-serious approach of the Government towards this village and health sector.

The locals have requested the concerned authorities and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to personally look into the matter and redress their grievances.

Meanwhile, Block medical officer (BMO), Gurez Dr Tahira said that one of the paramedics posted there was recently attached by the SDM to other area following an issue with locals. He said that now another staffer has been deputed to the health centre for its smooth functioning—(KNO)