Imagine the sound of a thousand school bells ringing incessantly, then add to that the constant roar of crashing waves, somehow sounding far away yet simultaneously right inside the ears. And you can’t switch it off or even turn it down.
That’s tinnitus. At least, that’s what mine sounds like.
For others it can be beeping, grinding, humming or buzzing. None of which sound appealing, especially when trying to sleep or concentrate or follow conversations.
Tinnitus is the medical name for noises we hear that do not come from the outside world, and it is just one aspect of hearing damage. Hearing loss is a condition most people assume means silence, but it can actually feel deafeningly loud.
Sometimes the “ringing in the ears” is temporary. For many, like me, it is a permanent, intrusive and untreatable sensation. I have been deaf since birth: a hereditary defect of the inner bones that causes approximately 70 per cent hearing loss in both ears and tinnitus as a side effect. But for a growing cohort, it is an entirely preventable condition.
One billion at risk
A report published this month in the British Medical Journal, estimated that more than one billion 12-34-year-olds globally are putting themselves at risk of hearing problems by “unsafe listening”. Using headphones and going to venues with dangerous sound levels being the major factors. The damage can be immediate and fleeting, like a buzzing in the ears for a couple of days, or chronic and wide-ranging affecting the ability to hear speech or the full range of music again. And it’s not just hearing that is under threat.
Unaddressed impairments have “serious impacts on individuals and families”, the report says, and there is “an urgent need” for action because hearing loss can affect concentration, mental health, cognitive function and academic achievement. Other studies have linked it with an increased chance of developing dementia.
While the deaf community may find this stark warning overly negative and in some ways dismissive of a full culture that thrives perfectly well without sound, there is a definite cause for alarm.
Damage that can last a lifetime
Examining 33 studies from 20 countries, it found that a quarter of all young people are exposed to unsafe volumes by listening to their devices through headphones, while almost half experience harmful sound levels at events or venues.
Even a single instance of unsafe listening can cause physiological damage to the ears that can last a lifetime, the report says. But it’s more likely to be long-lasting after prolonged and repeated exposure to high volumes.
$1 trillion annual cost
There is a sizeable economic cost too, estimated at almost $1 trillion a year. Almost half of each annual bill is due to “quality of life losses”, according to a paper in the International Journal of Audiology.
As for the personal financial burden, a single hearing aid can cost up to $4,000, while a cochlear implant averages between $30,000 and $50,000, then add to that ongoing maintenance charges, batteries and check-ups. Even with schemes like the over-the-counter drive in the United States or the UK’s National Health Service provisions, there are limitations and additional costs.
Sound advice
Dr Shelly Chadha, who oversees the World Health Organisation’s work on prevention of deafness, told The National: “While individuals are responsible for their own listening behaviours, governments, civil society and private sector entities have the responsibility for creating an environment where people are empowered to listen safely.”
Deanne Thomas, Chief Executive of the British Tinnitus Association, says the lack of protection for people exposed to noise via gaming and mobile devices “needs to be addressed as a public health issue”.
Smart phones already go a long way to encourage safe listening practises and venues and events the world over are subject to noise laws. Yet cases are still rising. So what can change?
Test, test and test
Dr Jamal Kassouma, an ear, nose and throat consultant in the UAE says young people need to have their hearing tested as regularly as they visit a dentist ― which should be at least every six months (in case you need reminding).
“Checking your teeth or vision every year is quite normal while testing your hearing isn't a reflex yet,” says tinnitus coach Frieder Kuhne. Now 32, he started experiencing tinnitus when he was 19: “I went clubbing a lot and back then hearing protection was not common at all. All the fun I had led to early onset hearing loss”.
Supporting people to develop coping mechanisms is what helped him with his own “biggest weakness”. “It would be my wish,” he says, “that people know the risk they take in exposing themselves”.
Turn it down now
So, as the adage goes, prevention is always better than cure.
“Hearing loss caused by listening to loud sounds is permanent; it is also completely preventable”, Dr Chadha says.
So if we can convince you of anything today, please, for the good of your hearing and your health, turn it down now, before it is too late.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Brief scoreline:
Al Wahda 2
Al Menhali 27', Tagliabue 79'
Al Nassr 3
Hamdallah 41', Giuliano 45 1', 62'
Results
2.30pm: Park Avenue – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Rb Seqondtonone, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
3.05pm: Al Furjan – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bosphorus, Dane O’Neill, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm: Mina – Rated Condition (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Royal Mews, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Aliyah – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,900m; Winner: Ursa Minor, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
4.50pm: Riviera Beach – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Woodditton, Saif Al Balushi, Ahmad bin Harmash
5.25pm: Riviera – Handicap (TB) Dh2,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Al Madhar, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Creek Views – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Al Salt, Dane O’Neill, Erwan Charpy
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
MATCH INFO
Group B
Bayern Munich v Tottenham, midnight (Thursday)
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ATP RANKINGS (NOVEMBER 4)
1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 9,585 pts ( 1)
2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 8,945 (-1)
3. Roger Federer (SUI) 6,190
4. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 5,705
5. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 5,025
6. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 4,000 ( 1)
7. Alexander Zverev (GER) 2,945 (-1)
8. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 2,670 ( 1)
9. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2,540 ( 1)
10. Gaël Monfils (FRA) 2,530 ( 3)
11. David Goffin (BEL) 2,335 ( 3)
12. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2,290
13. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 2,180 (-2)
14. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2,125 ( 1)
15. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 2,050 ( 13)
16. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 2,000
17. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 1,840 (-9)
18. Alex De Minaur (AUS) 1,775
19. John Isner (USA) 1,770 (-2)
20. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 1,747 ( 7)
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Leeds United 0
Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')
Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Abu Dhabi Card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,400m
National selection: AF Mohanak
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 1,400m
National selection: Jayide Al Boraq
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 100,000 1,400m
National selection: Rocket Power
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh 180,000 1,600m
National selection: Ihtesham
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,600m
National selection: Noof KB
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 2.200m
National selection: EL Faust
Tuesday results:
- Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
- UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
- Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets
Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong
Results
2.15pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner: Hello, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihi (trainer).
2.45pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner: Right Flank, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,000m
Winner: Leading Spirit, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
3.45pm: Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 Dh575,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,400m
Winner: Ode To Autumn, Patrick Cosgrave, Satish Seemar.
4.45pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh125,000 1,200m
Winner: Last Surprise, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.
5.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,200m
Winner: Daltrey, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihi.
Can NRIs vote in the election?
Indians residing overseas cannot cast their ballot abroad
Non-resident Indians or NRIs can vote only by going to a polling booth in their home constituency
There are about 3.1 million NRIs living overseas
Indians have urged political parties to extend the right to vote to citizens residing overseas
A committee of the Election Commission of India approved of proxy voting for non-resident Indians
Proxy voting means that a person can authorise someone residing in the same polling booth area to cast a vote on his behalf.
This option is currently available for the armed forces, police and government officials posted outside India
A bill was passed in the lower house of India’s parliament or the Lok Sabha to extend proxy voting to non-resident Indians
However, this did not come before the upper house or Rajya Sabha and has lapsed
The issue of NRI voting draws a huge amount of interest in India and overseas
Over the past few months, Indians have received messages on mobile phones and on social media claiming that NRIs can cast their votes online
The Election Commission of India then clarified that NRIs could not vote online
The Election Commission lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police asking it to clamp down on the people spreading misinformation
Race card:
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; 2,200m
7.40pm: Conditions; Dh240,000; 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 2,000m
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed; Dh265,000; 1,200m
9.25pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; 1,600m
10pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 1,400m
