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Hearing loss is often described as an “invisible disability”, a term that reflects both the absence of obvious signs and the public’s difficulty recognising its severity. This silent reality leads to stigma and social exclusion for many people. With more than 1.5 billion people living with hearing loss, the global community faces one of the most widespread and steadily growing health problems.

According to the World Health Organization:

• Unless effective measures are taken, hearing loss will affect approximately 2.5 billion people worldwide by 2050.
• 65% of adults over 60 and 34 million children experience hearing loss.
• 60% of cases of hearing loss in children under 15 can be prevented.
• More than 1 billion young people are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to unsafe noise levels during recreational activities.

Various factors affect hearing ability, including:

• Infections during pregnancy.
• Infections after birth (rubella, measles, meningitis and mumps).
• Prematurity, hypoxia & low birth weight.
• Loud sounds & noise.
• Ototoxic medicines.
• Chronic ear inflammation.
• Ageing.

In general, communication difficulties caused by hearing loss:

• Adversely affect quality of life.
• Lead to isolation, loneliness & the early onset of dementia.

In children, they also:

• Hinder speech & language development.
• Cause reduced school performance & learning difficulties.

There are also economic consequences due to reduced productivity and increased burdens on healthcare.

Addressing hearing loss requires action that includes:

• Raising awareness among the public and healthcare professionals.
• Promoting prevention.
• Encouraging early diagnosis and treatment.

Newborn hearing screening is essential for every newborn to ensure the early diagnosis of hearing disorders.

Ears must also be protected from high noise levels by using hearing protection in noisy environments and avoiding the use of audio devices at high volume.

Good ear care can prevent inflammation.

Consulting a specialist ENT doctor to diagnose and manage hearing problems can prevent further deterioration, reverse hearing loss and limit complications.