1. World Hearing Day 2018
Hear the future

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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 However, this is not a certainty and actions undertaken today can reverse this trend.

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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:
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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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