Antonisamy, by persistently ignoring his ear infection, saw it aggravate into hearing loss, facial nerve paralysis and brain fever. He nearly lost his life.
However, he was lucky enough to be a beneficiary of the Chief Minister's Insurance Scheme.
When he was discharged from KKR ENT Hospital (where he had his surgery), part of his face was still paralysed and he had lost hearing in one ear completely. But, he was not in pain and the brain fever had vanished.
“The patient had Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) – a disease that is very common in south India, and comes out of neglecting it in the early stages,” Ravi Ramalingam, ENT surgeon, and MD, KKR ENT Hospital, said. “Mr. Antonisamy had ear discharge right from childhood. Like many other people, he neglected it because he thought it was not an issue.”
The situation worsened over the years and led to loss of hearing. The patient had surgery thrice without success, and could no longer afford to pay for his treatment. The Chief Minister's insurance scheme came in handy and Mr. Antonisamy's life was saved.
The incidence of CSOM is about 3-5 per cent globally. In India, it varies between 15 per cent in Haryana to 6-7 per cent in Vellore district. While less than 5 per cent of patients reach Mr. Antonisamy's level of complication, 50 per cent do have some degree of hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and dizziness.
“The problem is that pain occurs only at an advanced stage of the disease. When there is watery discharge, people just do not bother to see a doctor,” Dr. Ravi said.
Frequent colds, infections of the nose and throat affect the ear, he explained.
Therefore, it is essential to treat colds and repeated upper respiratory tract infections so that they do not lead to damage of the ear.
