BY UMMI INTAN MASARRAH (INTERN)
KUCHING: In conjunction with the recent Earth Day celebration held at Boulevard Shopping Mall here from Saturday (April 18) until Sunday (April 19), a local hearing care provider stepped forward to highlight an often-overlooked aspect of wellbeing: ear and hearing health.
Best Hearing Aid Centre Kuching was among the participants at the two-day event, offering free ear screenings and raising awareness about common hearing issues faced by the public. While Earth Day is typically associated with environmental protection, the initiative demonstrated how personal health and environmental awareness can go hand in hand.
Supervisor Dania Fakhira Abdullah, 38, said the centre joined the event to increase public awareness about hearing care.
“We joined this event to create awareness. Many people don’t realise that hearing health is also an important part of overall wellbeing,” she said.
Throughout the event, visitors were invited to undergo basic ear checks to detect potential problems such as ear blockages, sensitivity, or excessive earwax.
According to Dania Fakhira, one of the most common issues observed among visitors was blocked ears, which can significantly affect hearing if left untreated.
“For cases like ear blockage, we usually advise them to seek professional cleaning at clinics or hospitals before coming back for a detailed hearing test. If there are signs of infection or more serious conditions, we will refer them to ENT specialists,” she said.
The centre also introduced visitors to hearing tests that provide a more in-depth assessment of their hearing ability, giving many their first exposure to such services.
Public response has been encouraging, with many showing interest in learning more about their hearing health.
To support this, the centre distributed free hearing test vouchers, which typically cost around RM120, allowing visitors to continue their check-ups at the centre.
In addition, information on hearing aid options was shared. Prices for basic battery-operated devices start from around RM2,500 per unit, while rechargeable models can cost upwards of RM4,000, depending on the features and technology.
By participating in the Earth Day event, Best Hearing Aid Centre Kuching hopes to remind the community that caring for oneself is just as important as caring for the environment.
“Awareness is key. Events like this give us a platform to educate people and encourage them to take action early,” Dania Fakhira added.
The initiative reflects a growing effort to integrate health awareness into community events, making it more accessible and relevant to the public.
