The first World Report on Hearing by the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the increasing global need to prevent and address hearing loss. Released a day before World Hearing Day on March 3rd, the report focuses on expanding and investing in ear and hearing care services.
Key Findings of the Report
According to the WHO, approximately 2.5 billion people around the world, or one in four individuals, are expected to live with some level of hearing loss by 2050. A significant portion of this population, at least 700 million, will require access to ear and hearing care, as well as other rehabilitation services, if preventative measures are not improved.
Health Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss
Untreated hearing loss can have serious impacts on an individual’s life. It can affect their ability to communicate, study, earn a living, maintain relationships, and can lead to mental health issues.
Specialist Shortage in Low-Income Countries
In low-income countries, there is a significant shortage of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists. Approximately 78% of these countries have less than one ENT specialist per million population, and 93% have fewer than one audiologist per million. Furthermore, only 17% of these countries have one or more speech therapists per million, and half have one or more teachers for the deaf per million.
Hearing Impairment Scenario in India
Hearing impairment is often overlooked in India, partly because it’s not visible and diagnosis is frequently delayed. Each year, over 27,000 children are born with deafness in the country. The lack of newborn screening programmes at birth and a general lack of awareness around infant hearing problems contribute to this issue.
Government Initiative: National Programme for the Prevention & Control of Deafness (NPPCD)
The NPPCD under the National Health Mission aims to prevent hearing loss due to disease or injury, identify and treat ear problems early, medically rehabilitate those with deafness, strengthen inter-sectoral linkages for rehabilitation programmes, and develop institutional capacity for ear care services.
Suggested Interventions
Screening programmes, like the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS), contribute significantly towards early diagnosis, which can lead to early treatment. The UNHS aids in the early detection of congenital hearing loss. However, it is not universally implemented in India, with Kerala being the only exception.
Recommended Strategies
Integration of hearing care into primary healthcare, clinical screening at strategic points in life, promoting hearing assistive technology, and increasing investments in hearing care are suggested strategies to improve hearing health. The WHO estimates that governments can expect a return of nearly USD 16 for every USD 1 invested in these services.
Preventative Measures
In children, 60% of hearing loss can be prevented through immunization against diseases such as rubella and meningitis, improved maternal and neonatal care, and early management of otitis media. For adults, noise control, safe listening practices, monitoring of ototoxic medicines, and good ear hygiene can help maintain good hearing and reduce the potential of hearing loss.
