All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
A significant increase in the number of hearing impaired patients is expected
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
According to the World Health Organization, in just 30 years, 24% of the world's population will suffer from various hearing disorders. If the situation does not change, hundreds of millions of people will soon require serious treatment and rehabilitation measures.
Hearing loss deprives a person of many life joys and opportunities: problems with work, study, and communication arise. With complete deafness, a person's psychological health also suffers, and depression develops. Today, WHO proposes to urgently identify the main preventive measures to prevent such disorders and include them in a number of national health plans.
Currently, there is insufficient investment in the prevention of hearing diseases in the world, and there is no funding for projects that help patients suffering from hearing loss or impairment. Many countries, even developed ones, lack otolaryngology specialists.
In every second low-income country there may be only one ENT doctor per million population, and only one teacher for hearing-impaired children, which is highly unacceptable.
In every second child suffering from hearing impairment, the problem could have been prevented by vaccination against meningitis and rubella, as well as by following prenatal and neonatal preventive recommendations, ensuring timely therapy and medical examination of patients with inflammatory ear pathologies.
It is important to explain to people that in order to maintain hearing function, they need to control noise levels, adhere to basic ear hygiene rules, and be careful when taking medications that have a negative toxic effect on hearing.
Experts draw the public's attention to the fact that the first step to minimizing the risk of developing hearing problems should be early diagnostics and high-quality and systematic medical examination. At the moment, medicine has various methods for identifying such diseases at early stages of development, and testing activities can be organized in remote regions and underdeveloped countries.
Most ear pathologies are successfully treated, so in many cases, with timely therapy, hearing problems can be avoided. Patients who have lost their hearing should be provided with high-quality hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other high-tech devices that help optimize the quality of life of patients. In addition, it is necessary to pay due attention to and practice methods that could ensure freer communication of patients: we are talking about sign language, the use of subtitles and sign language translation.
The health ministries of each country should take care of the population so that every person has access to such opportunities.
Source of information: official website of the World Health Organization (WHO)official website of the World Health Organization (WHO)