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Published on: May 02, 2020
1 minute read
By: Dr Vibhash Mishra

Corona, Cricket And Telemedicine

Corona, cricket and telemedicine

As schoolboys, gossiping about cricket and cinema was our favorite pastime. Decades later when even our children are not school kids anymore, I must confess the nature of our pastime has not become any more serious. The COVID-19 lockdown has inadvertently provided a large chunk of humanity with a rare luxury. Otherwise who has the time in today’s world to stop and stay at home to catch a breath? So catching a breath is what one does these days. Call it reflection and introspection, if you will.

R Ashwin is considered something of an intellectual in the sport of cricket. The other day I happened to come across an interview in which he says we take sport too seriously. That is the large scheme of things, there are other far more important matters. That sports should be seen in a wider perspective and given a place that is not out of proportion.

That took me back by several years. To 1980 to be precise when India and England were playing the golden jubilee test. Bob Taylor was given out by the umpire but the Indian captain Gundappa Viswanath thought otherwise and insisted that he was recalled. The rest, as they say, is history. Now Viswanath himself was not an also-ran by any means. Not quite an intellectual like Ashwin, but a batting genius all the same and a giant of a human being.

We can debate the relative value of intellectuals and good human beings to society but that is not the point of my musing, although, I do believe that the world needs several-fold more good human beings than intellectuals.

Back to the point, I was closing in on.
There were curses and kudos for Viswanath. In the midst of all that, the legendary commentator Jasdev Singh made a very poignant remark - Viswanath gave away the game but kept alive the spirit to promote which sporting events are organized in the first place. Now, what is this spirit that Jasdev was referring to? Fairness? Justice? Healthy competition? Honesty? Integrity? But then, are those, not the values the world should be guided by anyway? Would the world not do well to adopt those values in wider life? Would you still say we take sports too seriously? Just reflecting.

Meanwhile, you all stay in and be safe, the principles of which are well-known by now - social distancing and hand hygiene. And don’t ignore your other health issues. It may be months before normalcy is restored. Your medical condition can get worse in the interim. You may think I am encouraging you to visit a hospital and risk being turned down for lack of capacity or catching an infection. I am not. I am asking you to think of an alternative way of seeking medical help. Have you considered telemedicine? Online consultation with a specialist anywhere in the world? Have you heard of www.secondmedic.com? That’s where we are.

Dr. Vibhash Mishra
Chief Medical Officer Second Medic Inc

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Hearing Loss Solutions for Elderly in India: Restoring Sound & Confidence

Introduction

Hearing loss is one of the most common health challenges faced by elderly people in India. According to estimates, nearly 1 in 3 Indians above the age of 60 experiences some degree of hearing difficulty. For many seniors, this leads to isolation, depression, communication barriers, and even increased risk of dementia. The good news? Modern science and technology offer multiple hearing loss solutions for elderly in India—from advanced hearing aids to cochlear implants and lifestyle support.

This blog explains the causes, solutions, diagnostic tests, and care tips for elderly hearing loss in India.

Why Hearing Loss Happens with Age

The medical term for age-related hearing loss is presbycusis. It happens gradually and affects both ears. Major reasons include:

Degeneration of inner ear cells with aging.
Long-term exposure to noise (machines, loud music, traffic).
Health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders.
Side effects of medicines (ototoxic drugs).
Ear infections or wax buildup left untreated.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss in Seniors

Asking others to repeat frequently.
Turning up TV or phone volume unusually high.
Trouble following conversations in noisy places.
Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds (like children’s voices).
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Withdrawal from social interactions.

Best Hearing Loss Solutions in India

1. Hearing Aids

Modern hearing aids are smaller, digital, and rechargeable. They can be customized for mild to severe hearing loss. Some are nearly invisible, while others connect via Bluetooth to phones and TVs.

2. Cochlear Implants

For severe or profound hearing loss, cochlear implants bypass damaged inner ear structures and directly stimulate hearing nerves. India has many hospitals offering affordable implant surgeries compared to Western countries.

3. Assistive Listening Devices

Simple tools like TV amplifiers, alerting systems with lights/vibrations, and mobile apps improve communication at home.

4. Speech & Hearing Rehabilitation

Speech therapy and auditory training help seniors adapt to devices and regain confidence.

5. Lifestyle & Preventive Care

Regular ear check-ups.
Managing diabetes and hypertension.
Avoiding loud noise exposure.
Balanced diet with vitamins (especially B12, folate, zinc).

Diagnostic Tests for Hearing Loss

Audiologists and ENT specialists recommend:

Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) – Standard hearing test.
Speech Audiometry – Measures speech clarity.
Tympanometry – Middle ear function.
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) – Inner ear function.
BERA Test – For neural pathway issues.

At SecondMedic and Thyrocare centers, seniors can also book complete health check-ups with ENT & vitamin profiles to check if underlying conditions are contributing.

Cost of Hearing Solutions in India

Basic Hearing Aids: ?15,000 – ?40,000
Digital & Rechargeable Hearing Aids: ?50,000 – ?1,50,000
Premium Invisible Aids / Bluetooth-enabled: ?2 – ?3 lakhs
Cochlear Implant Surgery: ?6 – ?12 lakhs (may vary by hospital)

Government schemes, NGOs, and CSR initiatives sometimes subsidize devices for senior citizens.

Role of Family Support

Hearing loss is not just a medical condition—it’s a social challenge. Families can help by:

Speaking clearly, slowly, and facing the senior.
Reducing background noise during conversations.
Encouraging regular check-ups and device use.
Providing emotional support to prevent isolation.

Conclusion & CTA

Hearing loss does not have to mean silence. With the right solutions—modern hearing aids, cochlear implants, rehabilitation therapies, and preventive care—elderly Indians can enjoy active, engaged lives.

If you or your loved one is experiencing hearing problems, book a complete hearing assessment with SecondMedic today. Early diagnosis and the right solution can restore not just sound, but also confidence and connection.

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