Almost 2.5 billion people in the world, or one in four, will suffer from hearing problems in 2050, according to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) published on Tuesday, March 2, which underlines ” the need to rapidly step up the prevention and treatment of hearing loss ”. “At least 700 million of these people will need access to ear and hearing care and other rehabilitation services,” the WHO warns in a statement.
This first global report of the Organization on the hearing also states that this trend could be limited: “In children, nearly 60% of hearing loss can be avoided thanks to the vaccination against rubella and meningitis, the improvement maternal and newborn care or early detection and management of otitis media ”. In adults, protection from noise, monitoring drugs harmful to the ear and adopting good hygiene are recommended to avoid hearing loss.
Screenings “at strategic moments in life”
“Untreated hearing loss can have a devastating impact on people’s ability to communicate, study and earn a living. It can also have an impact on their mental health and on their ability to maintain relationships, ”warns Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the WHO in the press release. According to the report, the lack of clear information on these disorders and the stigmatization of those who suffer from them “often limit access to care”.
The organization insists on the need to set up screening “at strategic moments in life” and recalls that most ear diseases can be cured with medical or surgical treatment. She also emphasizes that if the hearing loss is irreversible, rehabilitation, hearing aids and cochlear implants remain “effective”.
While the report highlights a dire shortage of ENT and audiologists in low-income countries, it also notes an “uneven distribution” of specialists among those who are well endowed. WHO therefore calls on states to expand access to ear and hearing care services. A profitable investment since “governments can expect a return on investment of nearly 16 dollars for each dollar invested”, notes the organization.
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
