Nigeria at 65- A Compromised Hearing In Defense Of Liberty- by Promise Ebuka



Sometimes last year I met a young man who is a captain in the Nigeria army and had just returned back from Borno state where they were for months battling insurgence against the Nigeria government. He was referred to my office for audiological evaluation after complaints of loss of hearing and tinnitus in both ears. Tinnitus is a persistent sound in one or both ears. The sound does not come from an external source and is perceived only by the person hearing it and it’s often experienced as a high-pitched hiss, ring, or buzz. After several batteries of test, I was able to confirm he has moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears which was also accompanied by tinnitus. Obviously he would have to live the rest of his life wearing a hearing aid. He felt so bad about the news, though I counseled him and encouraged him that with hearing aids he could still enjoy the good sound of life. This and more are the plight of our military men who have fought and are still fighting for our liberty and independence.
Apparently, years of noise exposure to machine guns and heavy weapons while in battle likely contributed to hearing loss in many Nigerian military men. Many of our patriotic veterans would be the first of many who had fought and put their life in line and protected Nigeria liberty only to find themselves dealing with hearing loss over time. Military service often includes the prevalence of loud noises. And while there are some protections in place today, it was not always so in the past. Think of sailors, infantry and gunners in close proximity to cannons and guns exposing their ear to loud noise above 110 decibels. The noise is very detrimental to their hearing system.
We don’t usually think of independence as a hearing issue, but hearing and independence are most certainly intertwined. That’s because hearing loss is too often accompanied by gradual withdrawal from personal connections because it is simply too difficult to catch up with all that is going on around you.
As you enjoy the long weekend and Independence Day with family and friends, remember a veteran and how their hearing was likely sacrificed in defense of the liberty we all enjoy today and also remember to take steps to preserve your hearing and your independence. So Listen Responsibly. 

Happy Independence Nigeria












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