World Hearing Day 2019 Check your hearing!

Hearing loss is on the rise World Health Organization Hearing loss is on the rise 3 April, 2019 Over 460 million people globally have disabling hearing loss. WHO estimates that unless action is taken to prevent and address hearing loss, the numbers could rise to over 900 million by 2050. 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.

Unaddressed hearing loss has an impact World Health Organization Unaddressed hearing loss has an impact 3 April, 2019 Increased costs to health systems Failure to achieve the goal of education to all Lost productivity due to unemployment Increased need for ear and hearing care services and resources What does this mean for countries….. Unaddressed hearing loss poses an annual global cost of $750 billion

Unaddressed hearing loss impacts individuals and their families Communication Education Deaf children (who have no hearing) would be unable to develop spoken language without interventions. Children with hearing loss (who can hear, but not as well as others) can have delayed language development. Children with unaddressed hearing loss have increased rates of grade failure and greater need for education assistance. 

Unaddressed hearing loss: the impact Employment Social and emotional impact Adults with unaddressed hearing loss also have a much higher unemployment rate. Among those who are employed, they often earn lower wages compared with the general workforce and retire early. Exclusion from communication can have a significant impact on everyday life, causing feelings of loneliness, isolation, and frustration. It is associated with early cognitive decline in older persons with hearing loss.

Hearing loss can be addressed Many causes which lead to hearing loss can be prevented through public health strategies e.g. immunization against rubella and meningitis; reduction of noise exposure in occupational and recreational settings.

Hearing loss can be addressed Those who develop hearing loss can achieve their full potential through: Rehabilitation Use of hearing devices Education Empowerment

Early identification followed by prompt and appropriate interventions are key to addressing hearing loss

Means for early identification Universal newborn screening School ear and hearing checks This refers to screening for hearing loss at or soon after birth Those detected with hearing loss must receive appropriate care in the form of devices, therapy and rehabilitation This offers regular screening for early identification and management of common ear conditions and hearing loss through school-based programmes

Means for early identification Regular screening of populations at risk Annual hearing testing of persons above 60 years of age Targets those who are at higher risk of hearing loss: Exposed to noise at work Listening to loud music Using medicines that can harm hearing To identify age-related hearing loss and provide suitable interventions at the earliest

hearWHO In order to facilitate hearing screening for adults, WHO has developed a software application. This is available for free download and use through android and iOS based devices. It is a simple test based on validated digits-in-noise technology.

What is hearWHO? This app gives the general public access to a hearing screener to: check their hearing status, and monitor it over time. The app clearly display the users’ results, and keeps a personalized track record of their hearing status over time.

Who can use it? Adults Health workers It can be used by anyone to check their own hearing from time to time. It is especially recommended for those who are at higher risk of heating loss. If one does not receive a favourable outcome from this screening, s/he should seek medical attention from a health care professional. Can use it to screen members of their communities in their own homes or at a convenient location, eg older adults can be screened in their homes. Those who fail screening must be referred for an audiometry and intervention.

Hearing loss is not always apparent

Governments should act

Conclusion On World Hearing Day 2019, WHO highlights that: Unaddressed hearing loss poses a serious concern for governments and for individuals and families affected. Early identification is the first step to addressing hearing loss. This must be followed by appropriate interventions. hearWHO is a tool that can be used by: Adults to regularly check and keep track of their hearing. Health workers to screen hearing in the community.

Download now