The Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean of the World Health Organization has revealed that currently, 78 million people in the Eastern Mediterranean region suffer from hearing loss, costing the communities of this region an estimated $30 billion annually.
The Office clarified in a statement today that it is expected that 194 million people in the region will suffer from hearing problems by 2050, noting that approximately 80% of those with hearing loss are in low- and middle-income countries, with most lacking access to necessary intervention services. It highlighted that more than two million children in the region, aged between one day and 15 years, suffer from disabling hearing loss and need rehabilitation to mitigate its negative effects on their lives, pointing out that the negative impacts of untreated hearing loss extend not only to individuals but also to families, local communities, and societies at large.
Globally, the cost of untreated hearing loss (including healthcare, loss of productivity, and educational challenges) imposes an economic burden of about one trillion US dollars annually. In the Eastern Mediterranean region alone, hearing loss costs communities $30 billion annually. The statement emphasized that interventions in ear and hearing care are cost-effective, and there is a need for additional annual investments of less than $0.90 per person to provide ear care services. This investment over 10 years promises a return of nearly 7 US dollars for every dollar spent, serving as a potent reminder of the urgent need to prioritize ear and hearing health, with investment in expanding access to ear and hearing care services being crucial.
The statement added that the theme for World Hearing Day 2024, “Changing Attitudes,” underscores the importance of making ear and hearing care accessible and affordable for all. This involves breaking down barriers that prevent access to services, including financial constraints, lack of awareness, and social stigma related to hearing health. Changing attitudes also involves moving towards proactive measures for early detection and interventions to reduce the impacts of hearing loss, including screening newborns and infants at all levels of the health system.
Furthermore, the statement mentioned that enhancing regular hearing screenings and integrating hearing tests into routine healthcare interventions are critical steps towards better population health. Creating an inclusive environment everywhere, such as in educational and workplace settings, is essential for the health and well-being of individuals with hearing impairments. Facilities such as providing sign language translation services, assistive technologies, and supportive policies help ensure that people living with hearing loss thrive academically, professionally, and socially at all levels.
