Many Kenyans are losing their hearing due to medication called ototoxic drugs that can damage the ear resulting in hearing loss, ringing in the ear or balance disorders, the Ministry of Health has said. Most ear care drugs are not in the essential medicines list, as the National Strategy for Ear and Hearing Care 2016-2020 shows. The Kenya Essential Medicine List 2010 has only two ear treatment antibiotic drugs in the list of 28 essential medicines. Inbreeding between blood-related individuals such as second cousins or closer ones, as well as genetics, can also impair hearing. Earlier this month, Dr Mailu said there have been challenges in the provision of ear and hearing healthcare due to lack of a national programme on the field.

Source: Daily Nation August 15, 2016 21:44 UTC