2.5 billion people may have hearing problems by 2050 – WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says nearly 2.5 billion people worldwide (1 in 4 people) would be living with some degree of hearing loss by 2050.

WHO gave the warning in a statement issued on Tuesday to commemorate the World Hearing Day.

World Hearing Day is held on March 3 each year globally to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across.

The UN health agency, in its first report on hearing, stated that at least 700 million of these people would require access to ear and hearing care and other rehabilitation services unless action is taken.

The statement quoted Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, as saying, “our ability to hear is precious.

“Untreated hearing loss can have a devastating impact on people’s ability to communicate, to study and to earn a living”.

“It can also impact on people’s mental health and their ability to sustain relationships”.

“This new report outlines the scale of the problem, but 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.”

The report, launched ahead of World Hearing Day on March 3, underlines the need to rapidly step-up efforts to prevent and address hearing loss by investing and expanding access to ear and hearing care services.

According to the statement, investment in ear and hearing care has been shown to be cost-effective.

WHO calculates that governments can expect a return of nearly 16 dollars for every one dollar invested.

The statement, however, stated that the report found out that lack of accurate information and stigmatisation to ear diseases and hearing loss often limit people from accessing care for these conditions.

“In most countries, ear and hearing care is still not integrated into national health systems and accessing care services is challenging for those with ear diseases and hearing loss.

“Moreover, access to ear and hearing care is poorly measured and documented, and relevant indicators are lacking in the health information system.

“But the most glaring gap in health system capacity is in human resources. Among low-income countries, about 78 per cent have fewer than one ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist per million population.

“Ninety-three per cent have fewer than one audiologist per million; only 17 per cent have one or more speech therapist per million; and 50 per cent have one or more teacher for the deaf per million.

“This gap can be closed through integration of ear and hearing care into primary health care through strategies such as task sharing and training, outlined in the report.’’

According to the statement, even in countries with relatively high proportions of ear and hearing care professionals, there is unequal distribution of specialists.

“This not only poses challenges for people in need of care, but also places unreasonable demands on the cadres providing these services.’’

In addition, it stated that in children, almost 60 per cent of hearing loss can be prevented through measures such as immunisation.

“Immunisation for prevention of rubella and meningitis, improved maternal and neonatal care, and screening for, and early management of, otitis media – inflammatory diseases of the middle ear”.

“In adults, noise control, safe listening and surveillance of ototoxic medicines together with good ear hygiene can help maintain good hearing and reduce the potential for hearing loss.’’ (NAN)