The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that more than 900 million people or one in every 10 people would have disabling hearing loss by the year 2050.
WHO gave the estimation on Tuesday in commemoration of the World Hearing Day.
The world health body also disclosed that unaddressed hearing loss in people poses an annual global cost of 750 billion dollars.
It said in a statement that interventions to prevent, identify and address hearing loss were cost-effective, adding that it could bring great benefit to individuals.
According to WHO, about 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, while 34 million of these are children.
Disabling hearing loss refers to hearing loss greater than 40 decibels (dB) in the better hearing ear in adults and a hearing loss greater than 30 dB in the better hearing ear in children.
WHO said majority of people with disabling hearing loss live in low and middle-income countries.
It said approximately one-third of people over 65 years of age were affected by disabling hearing loss, adding that prevalence in this age group was greatest in South Asia, Asia Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa.
WHO noted that hearing loss might result from genetic causes, complications at birth, certain infectious diseases, chronic ear infections, the use of particular drugs, exposure to excessive noise, and aging.
ALSO READ: Dissolve new amnesty interim committee or risk revolt ― group warns FG
It said that 60 per cent of childhood hearing loss was due to preventable causes.
WHO stated that 1.1 billion young people aged between 12 and 35 years were at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to noise in recreational settings.
“People with hearing loss benefit from early identification; use of hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive devices; captioning and sign language; and other forms of educational and social support,” it said.
WHO said current estimates suggest 83 per cent gap in hearing aid need and use, adding that only 17 per cent of those who could benefit from the use of a hearing aid actually use one.
The health body said it responds by assisting member states in developing programmes for ear and hearing care that were integrated into the primary healthcare system.
NAN
By: Suliyat Oladejo I am compelled to express my deep concern about the state of…
IN what amounts to a criminal and morally reprehensible conduct exemplifying an extreme level of…
The President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Comrade Olusola Oladoja, has said that…
According to Olofu, the beneficiaries, who are all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC),…
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, will deliver the 2025…
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyerr, has denied allegations…
This website uses cookies.