Millions of people across the world live with disabling hearing loss. The vast majority live in low- and middle-income countries where they often do not have access to appropriate ear and hearing care services. There are also hundreds of millions of people at risk of hearing damage due to noise induced hearing loss from both recreational and industrial noise.
Without suitable interventions, hearing loss poses a significant challenge in the lives of those affected. Many causes of hearing loss can be prevented through public health measures. Through rehabilitation, education and empowerment, people with hearing loss can reach their full potential.
Raising awareness and improving access to services at the primary level can help to reduce the prevalence and adverse impact of hearing loss.
While over 1.5 billion people live with hearing loss currently, it is anticipated that this number could rise to 2.5 billion by 2050. This increase would mean that over 700 million people globally would need hearing rehabilitation at that time.
Over 30% of hearing loss in children is caused by diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, and ear infections. It is estimated that up to 330 million people suffer chronic ear infections or chronic otitis media globally.
When left untreated, chronic ear infections lead to hearing loss and can cause life-threatening complications and mortality. Chronic ear infections are preventable and can be managed effectively through medical and surgical interventions.
Over 30% of hearing loss in children is caused by diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, and ear infections. It is estimated that up to 330 million people suffer chronic ear infections or chronic otitis media globally.
When left untreated, chronic ear infections lead to hearing loss and can cause life-threatening complications and mortality. Chronic ear infections are preventable and can be managed effectively through medical and surgical interventions.
Strategies for the prevention of hearing loss include:
- Strengthen maternal and child healthcare programmes including immunization
- Implement infant and school-based hearing screening
- Train healthcare professionals in hearing care
- Make hearing devices and communication therapies accessible
- Regulate and monitor the use of ototoxic medicines and environmental noise
- Raise awareness to promote hearing care and reduce stigma
It is estimated that up to five out of every 1000 babies are born with hearing loss or acquire it soon after birth. Hearing loss can have a significant impact on a child’s development and educational achievements. Early identification of such hearing loss followed by prompt and suitable interventions can help ensure that children with deafness and hearing loss enjoy equal opportunities in society.
Left untreated, hearing loss can lead to people being excluded from the most basic communication, thereby contributing to feelings of loneliness, frustration and social isolation. Hearing loss in the elderly is linked with early cognitive decline and dementia. Age-related hearing loss can be managed effectively through a variety of means, including hearing aids.
In many places occupational noise, such as the loud sounds of machinery and explosions, has become the most compensated occupational hazard. This can be prevented through improved awareness of the danger it poses, and use of hearing protection. Some commonly used medicines (such as aminoglycosides and certain anti-malarial medicines) can also lead to irreversible hearing loss. Damage to hearing with the use of certain medicines can be prevented by raising awareness of its risks among health care providers and by the rational use of drugs.
Beyond the adverse effects of unaddressed hearing loss on individuals, it has a significant economic and societal impact. These costs include the costs related to the health care sector (excluding costs of service provision, devices, or rehabilitation), the educational sector, loss of productivity and societal costs due to communication challenges and social isolation.
Over 1 billion people (aged between 12-35 years) are at risk of developing hearing loss due to noise exposure in recreational settings. This includes concerts, sporting events, and the use of personal audio devices. Regular exposure to loud sounds for prolonged periods leads to serious risks of irreversible hearing loss. This is largely preventable through raising awareness of risks, legislation, and following safe listening practices.
Deaf people often use sign language as a means of communication. Family members, medical professionals, teachers and employers should be encouraged to learn signs/sign language in order to facilitate communication with deaf people. The use of loop systems in classrooms and public places, as well as the provision of captions on audio-visual media, are important for improving the accessibility of communication for people with hearing loss.
WHO estimates that over 400 million people could benefit with the use of a hearing aid. However, current hearing aid coverage estimates range from below 10% in low-income countries to just above 25% in high-income countries. It is estimated that if everyone in need used a hearing aid, the impact of hearing loss, in terms of years lived with disability (YLDs) could be reduced by 59%.
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