On the occasion of March 3 – World Hearing Day, the ENT School Tuzla Association, in cooperation with the Clinic for Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases and Head and Neck Surgery, organized a professional-educational event aimed at raising awareness about the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and modern methods of treating hearing loss. Co-organizers of the event included the Department of ENT at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tuzla, the International Interactive Open Center (MIOC) Tuzla, and Widex Hearing Aids Tuzla.
Attendees had the opportunity to listen to expert lectures and receive useful advice through presentations by Assist. Prof. Dr. Almedina Ramaš, ENT specialist and subspecialist in audiology, and Dr. Lejla Pirić, PhD, a surdoaudiologist. They were also able to undergo free ENT examinations and hearing tests with the staff of the audiology cabinet of the Clinic for Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases and Head and Neck Surgery at UKC Tuzla.
Acting Head of the Clinic for Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases and Head and Neck Surgery at UKC Tuzla and President of the ENT School Tuzla Association, Dr. Majda Mujić, specialist in otorhinolaryngology, emphasized that World Hearing Day is an opportunity to remind the public how important hearing is for the emotional, social, and cognitive development of every individual. According to her, the Clinic continuously conducts hearing screening for newborns starting from the second month of life, with special emphasis on preschool-aged children, when ear infections are common and the use of antibiotics is increased, which can affect the development of hearing and speech. She stressed that parents should pay attention to signs such as increasing the volume on televisions and mobile devices, lack of response when called, delayed speech development, or poorer academic performance.
“Hearing is our connection to the world and to our loved ones, which is why it is important to react in time. Our Clinic provides complete diagnostics and rehabilitation for all age groups. We are particularly proud of our cochlear implantation program, and this year we mark 25 years since the first cochlear implant was performed. To date, 67 implants have been placed, and the entire process—from diagnostics to postoperative rehabilitation—is carried out within our institution,” said Dr. Mujić.
The cochlear implantation program represents one of the most important segments of the Clinic’s work, as it enables children with severe hearing impairment to develop speech and improve their quality of life through modern medical rehabilitation.
Prof. Dr. Fuad Brkić, ENT specialist and subspecialist in audiology, emphasized the importance of timely detection of hearing impairment. As he noted, early recognition of the problem allows treatment to begin at a stage when consequences are significantly reduced and treatment outcomes are more successful. He emphasized that milder impairments are treated with hearing aids, while patients with severe hearing loss are referred to the cochlear implantation program.
“The key lies in early detection and timely treatment. Even a single exposure to excessive noise—such as very loud music, playing video games using headphones, or spending time in nightclubs—can lead to so-called ‘acoustic trauma’ and permanent hearing damage, which is why prevention is extremely important. Estimates show that the number of people with hearing impairment will increase in the future, precisely due to modern lifestyles and insufficient attention to prevention,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Fuad Brkić.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Almedina Ramaš, ENT specialist and subspecialist in audiology, highlighted the important role of parents and teachers in monitoring early symptoms of hearing impairment in children, such as a feeling of ear blockage, ringing in the ears, communication difficulties, or inability to hear high-frequency sounds. In children, symptoms may also include underdeveloped speech, delayed speech development, and greater reliance on visual rather than auditory stimuli.
“Older people should not be afraid or ashamed to use hearing aids. When hearing is significantly impaired, hearing aids can greatly improve quality of life and protect cognitive functions. Studies show that in up to 40% of cases, the risk of dementia is reduced in older patients who regularly use hearing aids, as these devices enable better communication and more effective use of cognitive abilities,” emphasized lecturer Assist. Prof. Dr. Almedina Ramaš.
Ezida Šerak, a hearing aid user, attended the World Hearing Day event to learn about the latest advancements in this field. She pointed out that she has been using a hearing aid for nearly fifteen years and that modern technology enables her to function normally in everyday life. She also emphasized that although people with hearing impairments often face a lack of understanding from society, she manages to overcome these challenges and maintains a positive attitude toward all assistive devices that make her life and daily activities easier.
The World Hearing Day program brought together people of various age groups, from children to the elderly, and all attendees were encouraged to continuously care for their hearing and take advantage of the modern diagnostic and therapeutic options available at the Clinic for Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases and Head and Neck Surgery.
