March 4, 2025
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – A total of 1,263 patients were newly diagnosed with hearing loss in Brunei Darussalam in 2024 with 468 identified as requiring treatment with hearing aid. The Audiology Unit at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital reported a significant increase in new cases compared to the previous year, Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar said.
In a message to mark World Hearing Day 2025, observed annually on March 3, the minister said in 2023, 624 individuals aged 12 and above were diagnosed with hearing loss in both ears, rising to 817 in 2024.
This year’s theme ‘Changing Mindsets: Empower Yourself. Make Ear and Hearing Care a Reality for All!’ aims to encourage proactive measures in hearing care.
The minister also revealed that the Infant Hearing Screening Programme at Suri Seri Begawan Hospital, Kuala Belait, recorded an increase in hearing-related cases among newborns, rising from three cases in 2023 to 10 cases in 2024.
He emphasised that early detection and intervention are crucial in managing hearing problems, stating, “Early care and detection not only facilitate faster recovery but also reduce the risk of further complications, including permanent hearing loss caused by poor ear care.”
The minister stressed that World Hearing Day serves as an annual platform to raise public awareness on the importance of ear and hearing health. He noted that this year’s theme encourages individuals to take proactive steps in maintaining hearing health by addressing misconceptions and stigma, promoting evidence-based information, and ensuring equitable access to ear and hearing care.
He added, “Empowering oneself means taking control of one’s hearing health, making informed choices such as reducing exposure to excessive noise, wearing ear protection when necessary, and undergoing regular hearing checks. Eliminating the stigma surrounding hearing problems is also essential for fostering inclusivity and mutual understanding within society.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 500 million people are expected to experience hearing loss requiring rehabilitation by 2030.
In conjunction with World Hearing Day 2025, WHO reiterated the alarming fact that over one billion young people are at risk of permanent hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud noise, particularly from activities such as listening to music and playing video games.
Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham also underscored that how people hear in the future depends on how they care for their ears today, as many cases of hearing loss can be prevented through safe listening practices and proper hearing care.
He called for collective action, urging everyone to work together in empowering individuals to prioritise ear and hearing health and ensure hearing care is accessible for all.
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