Flip chart on good ear & hearing care habits

Instructions for the use of Flip Chart

With the use of this chart, you can inform people regarding care of the ears.

In order to use it correctly, explain to the group that it's important to take good care of the ears.

This chart has many pages with pictures and written information. Hold the chart, so that these pages face the group. The same information along with few additional points is also given on the page facing you. Generate discussion with the group, as per the pointers given on this page. Explain the text to the group.

In the end, tell the group that with proper care, we can continue to enjoy good hearing throughout our lives.

A mother with her child explaining how to prevent ear diseases and prevent hearing loss.

Instruction: THE ABILITY TO HEAR IS A PRECIOUS GIFT

Discussion: First ask the group about the role of the ear in the body. Discuss with about the effects of poor hearing on our lives. Ask them their experiences regarding various ear problems in their family like ear discharge, hearing loss, pain in ear etc.

Explain to them: There are nearly 300 million persons in the world who have hearing loss.

Proper care of our ears can prevent many such diseases that lead to hearing loss.

A mother breast feeding her baby in slightly head raised position.

Discussion: Ask the mothers present as to how they position their child when they breastfeed.

Explain to them: If the child is flat when being breastfed or bottle fed, the milk can reach into the ears of the child. This can lead to pus formation in the ear and sometimes cause pain.

'The care of the ear starts from early childhood.

Always feed the baby with the head slightly raised.'

A child who is crying and is holding his ear. He seems to be having pain in the ear.

Discussion: Ask the group if there is any child in their family or neighbourhood who has a discharging ear or who complains of pain in the ear.

Explain to them: Discharge from the ear indicates a serious disease within the ear. If we do not treat this properly, it can lead to hearing loss. At times, this can also cause serious complications (related to the brain) and be life threatening. Discharging ear MUST be examined at the earliest and proper treatment started.

'If the child suffers with discharging ear, pain in the ear or has recurrent nose and throat infections: Consult an ENT doctor immediately.