Hong Kong lawmaker Charles Mok unsure if right ear will recover fully after sudden hearing loss
IT sector legislator, who returned to work on Wednesday, grateful to colleagues across political spectrum, who sent their blessings and helped him hold meetings
A lawmaker sent shock waves through Hong Kong’s political circles last week with news that he had suffered from sudden complete hearing loss in one ear, as his colleagues stepped forward to cover his duties. And although Charles Mok, who represents the IT sector in the legislature, returned to work on Wednesday, it remains uncertain whether he will recover full use of his right ear.
“It is recovering, but I do not know how far that could go,” Mok said on the sidelines of the final Legislative Council meeting ahead of the summer recess.
The pro-democracy lawmaker, who turns 54 this year, woke up in shock last Wednesday to find that he could not hear with his right ear. He consulted a doctor on the same day.
“We still have not figured out the reason behind the sudden hearing loss, but there are usually three causes: virus, vasoconstriction or problems with the immune system,” Mok said, adding that he was taking a variety of pills to relieve the situation.
Mok, who became the convenor of Legco’s pro-democracy bloc last year, said the incident made him realise the importance of having sufficient rest.
“I take it as a warning sign,” he said on Wednesday. “Sometimes I can be very tense. I do not feel exhausted mentally and physically … but apparently my body is protesting.”