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The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
The Hindu-Naruvi Hospital webinar on ‘Gadgets in ENT' held
Gadgets, including mobile phones, earphones, headphones, high volume speakers, and televisions increase the risk of hearing loss in youth, medical experts said. While speaking at the The Hindu-Naruvi Hospital webinar on 'Gadgets in ENT' on Sunday, panelists voiced concerns over the effect of modern technology. 'Noise-induced hearing loss is a major neglected public health challenge, and requires advocacy for implementation of behavioural change,' Mary Kurien, Professor and Head, Department of ENT, Naruvi Hosptal, Vellore, said. Dr. Kurien said it was important to identify early symptoms of ENT-related problems, and that listeners should be careful to not use ill-fitting personal audio devices. 'No audio device should be used for too long. Audio devices should also be regularly cleaned and sanitised to avoid infection in the ear,' she said. Usage of gadgets aside, sometimes, medicines, including antibiotics, anti-malarial drugs, diuretics, and cancer medicines; and conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol, obesity, infective meningitis, and measles, could also lead to deterioration in hearing, Dr. Kurien said. When people used a cotton bud, it could damage the delicate skin of the ear canal, and may cause infection, earache and tinnitus, and they also risked puncturing the eardrum, Sadhana Chandrababu, practitioner in advanced audiology with the Powys Teaching Health Board, National Health Service (NHS), the U.K, said. People should avoid long exposure to high decibel sounds, Vikram M., ENT consultant, Naruvi Hospital, said. 'If you hear ringing or humming sounds in your ears when you leave work, or you have to shout to be heard by a co-worker at your workplace, realise that noise is a problem in your office and could affect your hearing in the long run,' Dr. Vikram said. The webinar was the 13th in a series of 15 under the 'Happy India Healthy India' initiative presented by Naruvi Hospitals in association with The Hindu.
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Webinar to focus on use of gadgets and ENT health
Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore and The Hindu are organising a webinar on 'Gadgets in ENT' on June 22. This event is part of the 'Healthy India, Happy India' initiative, a series of 15 webinars aimed at promoting health awareness, disease prevention, and overall wellness across India. The webinar, scheduled to be held at 11.30 a.m., is the 13th instalment in the series. With the increasing use of gadgets, such as earphones, Bluetooth devices, and industrial equipment, ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) health has become a growing concern. This webinar aims to explore the impact of modern technology and workplace noise on hearing and overall ENT wellness. The session will shed light on early warning signs, preventive strategies, and safe gadget usage practices often overlooked in everyday life. Mary Kurien, professor and head, Department of ENT, Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore will speak on 'How can we identify ENT-related problems early, and what precautions can help prevent them?' during the session. Vikram M, consultant, Department of ENT, Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore will speak on 'Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Industrial Workplaces', while Sadhana Chandrababu, advanced audiology practitioner, Powys Teaching Health Board, NHS, United Kingdom will elaborate on the topic - 'Which gadgets can lead to hearing loss, and how do they affect our hearing?'. Soma Basu, senior deputy editor, The Hindu will moderate the session. E-certificate of participation will be issued to those who register for the webinar. To register, visit or scan the QR code.
