Globally, more than 1.5 billion people currently experience some degree of hearing loss. This includes an estimated 430 million people who have hearing loss severe enough to be considered disabling, meaning a hearing loss greater than 35 decibels in the better hearing ear, and requiring rehabilitation. The burden of deafness and hearing loss is not even globally, with nearly 80% of those affected residing in low- and middle-income countries. Many causes of hearing loss – such as chronic ear infections, exposure to loud sounds and complications from diseases – are preventable through public health measures and clinical interventions.

In the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, 3.1% of the population experienced moderate or higher-grade hearing loss in 2019 according to the World report on hearing. Seventy-eight million people live with hearing loss while 194 million people are projected to have problems with their hearing by 2050. The number of people with hearing loss in the Region is expected to more than double by 2050.

Addressing sensory impairments requires resilient health systems that emphasize early detection, prevention and rehabilitation. These efforts must be supported by equitable access to quality services and by reducing key barriers, including high costs, limited resources and shortages of trained health workers.

The World report on hearing estimates that hearing loss costs the Region US$ 30 billion annually. Generally, unaddressed hearing loss is estimated to cost the global economy nearly US$ 1 trillion annually. This reflects losses related to decreased productivity, expenses for educational support, societal costs, and the burden placed on health systems (excluding the costs of hearing devices). On an individual level, unaddressed hearing loss limits communication, adversely affects cognitive functioning, and can lead to social isolation, loneliness and frustration, especially among older adults. The lack of timely intervention can seriously impact children, leading to delayed language development and limiting access to quality education and future employment options (1).

Worldwide, unaddressed hearing loss is the third largest source of years lived with disability (YLD). The cumulative global number of YLDs attributable to hearing loss reached 43.5 million in 2019. By addressing hearing loss effectively, countries can significantly reduce this health burden and support the global goal of ensuring prosperity and ending poverty by 2030 (2).

The World report on hearing estimates a possible return of 1.67 International dollars for every 1 dollar invested in newborn hearing screening in low- and middle-income countries. In high-income settings, this return could be as high as 6.53 International dollars per dollar. The importance of hearing screening across the life course to facilitate early identification and interventions to address ear diseases and hearing loss is also strongly highlighted.

(1) McDaid D, Park AL, Chadha S. Estimating the global costs of hearing loss. Int J Audiol. 2021 Mar;60(3):162-170. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2021.1883197. Epub 2021 Feb 16. PMID: 33590787.

(2) Haile L, Kamenov K, Briant P et al. Hearing loss prevalence and years lived with disability, 1990–2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet, 397, 996-1009.

The World Health Organization is committed to making ear and hearing care accessible for all, guided by the 2021 World report on hearing and the 2017 World Health Assembly resolution on preventing deafness and hearing loss. The cornerstone of this effort is promoting Integrated People-Centred Ear and Hearing Care (IPC-EHC). This approach recommends the H.E.A.R.I.N.G. package of interventions, which prioritizes Hearing screening and intervention; Ear disease prevention and management; Access to technologies; Rehabilitation services; Improved communication; Noise reduction; and Greater community engagement. Because prevention is key, WHO also runs the Make Listening Safe initiative, aiming to protect the hearing of over 1 billion young adults who risk permanent hearing loss from recreational loud sounds. A global target has been set to achieve a 20% relative increase in the effective coverage of these interventions by 2030.

To address rising numbers of people with hearing loss, the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office provides technical support to Member States to reduce avoidable hearing impairment through appropriate preventive and rehabilitative measures. Efforts in the Region focus on early identification through screening and integrating primary ear care within primary health care settings.