World Hearing Day 2018 Hear the future

World Health Organization Its rising 20 September, 2018 A graph with 360 in 2008, 466, etc Hearing loss is on the rise. Presently, 466 million people live with disabling hearing loss. Unless action is taken, this number could rise to 630 million by 2030; it could cross 900 million by 2050.

What this means for countries World Health Organization What this means for countries 20 September, 2018 Increased costs to the health systems Lost productivity due to unemployment Increased need for ear and hearing care services Increased human resource requirements What does this mean for countries….. Unaddressed hearing loss poses an annual global cost of $750 billion

World Health Organization 20 September, 2018 Factors responsible Population growth Population ageing By 2050, the number of adults older than 65 will double. The number of adults older then 80 will triple There are currently 7.5 billion people living in the world There will be 10 billion people by 2050 One key factor responsible for this rise is the growth and ageing of populations across the world. As global population increases and ages, the prevalence of hearing loss is also likely to increase.

This trend can be controlled World Health Organization This trend can be controlled 20 September, 2018 It is anticipated that nearly 1 out of 10 could have hearing loss in 2050. However, this possibility can be avoided through: prevention timely and appropriate interventions With this growth, it is expected that one out of every ten people will have hearing loss by 2050. However, this is not a certainty and actions undertaken today can reverse this trend.

Factors responsible Risk factors over one’s life impact hearing Some of these include: Genetics Maternal and childhood infections Ear infections Noise Ototoxicity

Many risk factors are preventable World Health Organization 20 September, 2018 Many risk factors are preventable Ear infections Approximately 330 million people affected globally Many of them experience disabling hearing loss This can be avoided by early diagnosis and treatment Many of the risk factors are preventable, such as ear infections and hearing loss caused by ototoxic medicines

Many risk factors are preventable World Health Organization 20 September, 2018 Many risk factors are preventable Ototoxic hearing loss Common ototoxic medications include: Aminoglycosides Chemotherapeutic agents They are powerful tools of medical care, but must be used wisely Many of the risk factors are preventable, such as ear infections and hearing loss caused by ototoxic medicines

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) World Health Organization 20 September, 2018 Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) Occupational The second-most common workplace related injury Some countries have implemented policy to prevent occupational NIHL Use of protective devices and regular audiological monitoring can reduce this risk Noise exposure is another very common and preventable cause of hearing loss. Noise exposure may be encountered at workplace

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) World Health Organization 20 September, 2018 Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) Recreational Over a billion young people are at risk of hearing loss due to the way they listen to music: on personal music players in entertainment venues (concerts, sporting events, bars) Increasing awareness and appropriate legislation can reduce this risk Read more: http://www.who.int/deafness/make-listening-safe/FAQs/en/ Noise exposure is also a growing risk in recreational settings. As more and more people listen to loud music over their headphones and at entertainment venues, this poses a serious challenge to hearing.

Strategies to address hearing loss World Health Organization 20 September, 2018 Strategies to address hearing loss Prevent: to halt the rise in prevalence Control of maternal and childhood infections though: Vaccination; education of mothers Prevent hearing loss caused by ear infections through early identification and treatment of ear infections Regulate noise exposure at work and at play Monitor use of ototoxic medicines Strategies to address hearing loss must focus on both: prevention as well as early and appropriate interventions.

Strategies to address hearing loss World Health Organization 20 September, 2018 Strategies to address hearing loss Identify & intervene: to reduce the impact of hearing loss Establish screening programmes in people at high risk Babies Schoolchildren Older adults Provide ear and hearing care services for people with hearing loss or ear diseases Make hearing devices available and promote communication, through sign language and captioning For those who have hearing loss, early identification followed by appropriate intervention can ensure that they are able to communicate, gain education and have the same opportunities as people with normal hearing

Actions for governments World Health Organization Actions for governments 20 September, 2018 Develop policies that integrate ear and hearing care into primary health care systems as part of universal health coverage Undertake advocacy to raise awareness among policymakers and civil society Build capacity to address the human resource gap Ensure access to hearing devices and communication technologies Governments must take cognisance of this growing problem and initiate actions to address it

What role can you play? As a health professional Educate on the risks Refer patients for tests or treatment Monitor patients taking ototoxic medicines Support those who need hearing devices or sign languages

What role can you play? As part of civil society Advocate with policy-makers for resources for hearing care Disseminate awareness and behavioural change campaigns Engage opinion leaders and media Advocate for and support the government's screening and awareness programmes

What role can you play? As a policy-maker Establish training programmes Make available high quality, affordable hearing devices and other communication services Adopt legislation on sound exposure

Conclusion On the World Hearing Day 2018, WHO highlights that: concern is posed by the rising number of people with hearing loss this trend could be mitigated by identifying leading causes of hearing loss and implementing preventative actions with foresight, planning and implementation of good policies, we can limit the adverse impact of hearing loss around the world