Sun Jun 22 20:19:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text, keeping in mind the Indian perspective implied by “The View From India”:

**Headline: Experts Warn of Rising Hearing Loss Among Youth Due to Gadget Use**

**CHENNAI, INDIA – June 23, 2025** – A new warning highlights the growing threat of hearing loss among young people in India due to the increasing use of gadgets like mobile phones, earphones, and high-volume speakers. Medical experts voiced their concerns during a webinar hosted by *The Hindu* in association with Naruvi Hospital on Sunday, emphasizing the need for preventative measures and public awareness.

The webinar, titled ‘Gadgets in ENT’ and part of the ‘Happy India Healthy India’ initiative, featured Dr. Mary Kurien, Head of the ENT Department at Naruvi Hospital, Vellore, who stressed that “noise-induced hearing loss is a major neglected public health challenge.” She advocated for behavioral changes, advising against prolonged use of audio devices and emphasizing the importance of cleaning and sanitizing them to prevent ear infections.

Dr. Kurien also cautioned that certain medications, including some antibiotics and anti-malarial drugs, as well as conditions like hypertension and diabetes, can contribute to hearing deterioration.

Sadhana Chandrababu, a practitioner in advanced audiology with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), warned against the use of cotton buds, highlighting the risk of damage to the ear canal, infections, earaches, tinnitus, and eardrum puncture.

Dr. Vikram M., an ENT consultant at Naruvi Hospital, advised individuals to be mindful of their environment. “If you hear ringing or humming sounds in your ears when you leave work, or you have to shout to be heard by a co-worker at your workplace, realize that noise is a problem… and could affect your hearing in the long run,” he said.

The experts urged the public to be proactive in protecting their hearing, emphasizing that early detection and preventative measures are crucial in combating this rising health concern, especially amongst the younger generation increasingly reliant on technology. The webinar was the 13th in a series of 15 under the ‘Happy India Healthy India’ initiative presented by Naruvi Hospitals in association with *The Hindu.*

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