Billions of people are expected to suffer some degree of hearing loss by 2050, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), considered the first global report on hearing.
About 2.5 billion people worldwide – about 1 in 4 – “will live with some degree of hearing loss by 2050,” the organization said in calling for better access to prevention and treatment methods worldwide .
“Our ability to listen is invaluable. Untreated hearing loss can have a devastating impact on people’s ability to communicate, study and earn a living. It can also affect people’s mental health and their ability to maintain relationships,” said the WHO Director. General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a statement.
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“In most countries, hearing and hearing care are not yet integrated into national health systems and access to care services is a challenge for those with ear diseases and hearing loss. In addition, access to hearing and hearing care it is poorly measured and documented, and the relevant indicators are lacking in the health information system, “said the WHO in its report.
The organization noted that the lack of access to care, especially in low-income countries, contributes greatly to the issue of hearing health.
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In low-income countries, for example, about 78% have “less than one ear, nose and throat specialist (otorhinolaryngologist) per million inhabitants,” estimated the WHO.
Still, “even in countries with relatively high proportions of hearing and hearing health professionals, there is an uneven distribution of specialists,” continued the world agency. “This not only poses challenges for people in need of care, but it also imposes absurd demands on the staff who provide these services.”
Hearing loss can be prevented with better intervention strategies, the WHO said. For example, in children, almost 60% of hearing loss could be prevented through certain vaccinations and “better maternal and neonatal care”, among other methods.
“Once diagnosed, early intervention is critical. Medical and surgical treatment can cure most ear diseases, potentially reversing the associated hearing loss. However, where hearing loss is irreversible, rehabilitation can ensure that those affected avoid the adverse consequences of hearing loss. effective options are available “
“Hearing technology, such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, when accompanied by adequate support services and rehabilitation therapy are effective and economical and can benefit children and adults,” says the report.
WHO noted that investing in hearing care is “cost-effective” for governments worldwide, estimating that for every $ 1 invested in this area, governments can expect a return of $ 16.
If the issue of hearing loss is not addressed, the number of people with hearing loss could rise “more than 1.5 times over the next three decades” or to 2.5 billion people, the report says. For contextual purposes, around 1.6 billion people were found to have suffered from hearing loss in 2019. About 700 million of the 2.5 billion would likely need some form of treatment for their hearing loss, the WHO estimated.
“The number of people living with untreated hearing loss and ear diseases is unacceptable,” said the WHO, noting that “timely action is needed to prevent and treat hearing loss throughout life.”
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“Our ability to listen is invaluable. Untreated hearing loss can have a devastating impact on people’s ability to communicate, study and make a living. It can also affect people’s mental health and their ability to maintain relationships,” said the WHO Director. General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a statement.
“This new report describes the scale of the problem, but it also offers solutions in the form of evidence-based interventions that we encourage all countries to integrate into their health systems as part of their journey towards universal health coverage,” he added.