March 12, 2021

 

One in four people could face some degree of hearing loss by 2050, WHO report warns

One in four people across the world — nearly 2.5 billion — could face some degree of hearing loss by 2050 with at least 700 million requiring access to treatment and rehabilitation, a WHO report warns.

The first World Report on Hearing predicted that in 2050 the highest number of people with some degree of hearing loss is likely to be found in the WHO Western Pacific region — which includes Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam — with nearly 760 million, and the South-East Asia region — which includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Indonesia — with nearly 660 million.

The report emphasized the urgent need for initiatives to prevent and tackle hearing loss by funding and widening access to ear and hearing care services.

"Investment in ear and hearing care has been shown to be cost-effective," and governments can "expect a return of nearly US$16 for every US$1 invested," the WHO said in a press statement launching the report on 2 March.

Ear and hearing-related treatment is currently not integrated into the national health systems of most countries and human resources are often lacking, according to the report. It said 78 per cent of low-income countries have less than one ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist doctor per million population and 93 per cent have less than one audiologist per million population. The African region slightly fared better with some 56 per cent of all countries fewer than one ENT specialist per million of population.

By integrating ear and hearing care into primary health care, using strategies such as task sharing and training, inadequate human resources can be overcome, the report said, adding that early medical and surgical treatment, rehabilitation and the use of hearing aids and cochlear implants are valuable.

Nearly 60 per cent of hearing loss in children can be prevented by measures including immunization against rubella and meningitis, improvement in maternal and neonatal care, and screening for otitis media (middle ear inflammation). "In adults, noise control, safe listening and surveillance for ototoxic medicines (medicines used to treat serious infections but can also damage the ear) together with good ear hygiene can help maintain good hearing and reduce the potential for hearing loss," the report noted.

Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news