Woman loses hearing ability after ‘kwitis’ exposureFireworks light up the sky over Rizal Park in Manila to celebrate during New Year celebrations on January 1, 2023. According to the health department, a 23-year-old woman from Central Luzon experienced hearing loss after a “passive exposure” to sky rockets, popularly known as kwitis. Kwitis, known for its distinctive whistle sound when launched into the air, is a firecracker that looks like a thin rocket. “If you cannot avoid exposure to fireworks and their loud sounds, use hearing protection like earplugs or earmuffs,” it said in a statement. Among the eight newly-logged cases of FWRI, the DOH said that the victims are in the age range of 5 to 49 years old.

Source: Philippine Star December 29, 2023 19:02 UTC