Jamaica Association For the Deaf to Host Webinar April 28

The Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD), in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will host a webinar on Wednesday, April 28, starting at 6:00 p.m.

This is in observance of International Noise Awareness Day. The webinar will be held under the theme ‘Noise-induced Hearing Loss is Permanent but it is Preventable’. Business Development Director, JAD, Denise Badroe, told JIS News that this annual commemoration is aimed at creating awareness about bothersome noise and the implications in the environment, whether at work, entertainment or at home. “This event seeks to generate public awareness and provide valuable information from health and occupational safety perspectives,” Ms. Badroe said.

“Exposure to noise, whether occupational or recreational, is the leading preventable cause of hearing loss, and can pose a serious threat to our physical and psychological well-being,” she added. Advisor, Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health at PAHO, Dr. Michelle A. Harris, who will be the keynote speaker, stated that more than 1.5 billion people currently experience some degree of hearing loss and another 1.1 billion young people are at risk of permanent hearing loss from listening to music at loud volumes over prolonged periods of time.

She added that workers who are exposed to loud noise over a prolonged period of time are also at risk of permanent hearing loss.

Other presenters will be Professor/Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Wendel Abel; Ear Nose and Throat Consultant, Dr. Guyan Channer; Occupational Health Specialist, Dr Norbert Campbell; Occupational Hearing Conservationist, June Coward-Fearon; Deaf Community Representative, Kamar Groves; and Writer/Producer, Michael Bennett.

For registration and additional information persons may call 876-970-1778/9 or send an email to hearingservices@jamdeaf.org.jm.