By Miracle Ogunde
A paediatrician has cautioned that repeated slapping of children, especially on the ears, could damage the eardrums and result in deafness.
A child health expert, Prof Aminu Mohammad who spoke exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, said the impact of a slap to the ear can cause immediate harm, with the potential for long-term consequences if done frequently.
Recall that there was public outcry over a recent viral video of a teacher identified as Stella Nwadigo who was seen physically assaulting a three-year-old pupil at Christ-Mitots International School in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
A brief viral video showed Nwadigo mistreating the young pupil, Abayomi Micheal during a writing lesson.
In the footage, Nwadigo was heard instructing Micheal on how to write the number six while repeatedly slapping him.
The mother of a three-year-old pupil, Mrs Adenike Okunlaya in an interview with PUNCH on Saturday, claimed her child’s ear has been affected by the repeated slaps by the teacher.
The paediatric surgeon, however, stressed the importance of positive reinforcement and communication as more effective tools for teaching children, rather than resorting to physical punishment.
“Slapping can also cause deafness because the process involves a lot of pressure, especially when it involves the ear. The pressure can cause trauma to the eardrum, which can rupture. In some situations, people don’t just slap once; they may slap multiple times, and if care is not taken, it can injure the eardrum permanently, leading to hearing loss.
“Furthermore, slapping can cause neck and head trauma, leading to contusions. Contusions occur when a sudden shift in the brain causes it to strike the inner part of the skull, leading to potential brain damage. This could result in unconsciousness. The sudden shift can cause what is known as a ‘whiplash injury,’ an injury to the neck caused by sudden force. This could injure the spinal cord, potentially leading to paralysis in the limbs if not treated.
“Slapping can also lead to dental problems and injuries. It can result in the loss of teeth or cause hazardous denture issues,” he stated.
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