By Shahfizal Musa
Pix Shahiddan Saidi

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 May 2014 – The National University of Malaysia (UKM) received donations of cash and hearing aids totalling RM250,000 from 26 companies at a ‘hearing carnival’ organised by its Audiology Clinic here last sunday.

The programme was initiated to assist poor patients get the treatment and the hearing aids they needed even though they cannot afford to buy them.

Head of the Audiology Programme Dr Rafidah Mazlan said cost of treatment and the hearing aid can run to thousands of ringgit. With the contributions doctors and specialists at the clinic can focus on treatment and not worry about getting funding for their patients.

A carnival charity run was also held at Tasik Titiwangsa with Siemens Malaysia offering a donation of RM50 for every round of run around the lake for every participant. The run resulted in Siemens donating hearing aids valued at RM80,000.

Dr Rafidah said although hearing impairment is not life threatening it does affect the quality of life significantly. A lot of people do not even realise that they have hearing problem as it cannot be seen but can affect their education, work and even relationship.

People who are hard of hearing sometimes cannot contribute as much as the average person even if they are more capable. The communication barrier limits their participation in their community and their work place.

Hearing impairment can be overcome with hearing aid but for children, it can be reversed with cochlear implant.

Cochlear implant also known as bionic ear can help children and some adults, irrespective of whether they are born deaf or lost their hearing later in life.

The implant allows them to experience talking on the phone, listening to music and hearing voices of their friends and loved ones.

Present at the carnival was Deputy Vice Chancellor (Students and Alumni Affairs) Prof Datin Nor Aziah Mohd Awal, the Member of Parliament of Titiwangsa Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani, parents and children.