Global hearing health: future directions

• Published in: Bulletin of the World Health Organization Vol. 96; no. 3; p. 146
• Main Authors: Chadha, Shelly, Cieza, Alarcos, Krug, Etienne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland World Health Organization 01.03.2018
• Subjects: Adolescent; Alliances; Collaboration; Deafness; Forecasting; Forecasts and trends; Global Health; Hearing loss; Hearing Loss - prevention & control; Hearing protection; Humans; Prevention; Public Health; Public health administration; United States > US
• ISSN: 0042-9686; 1564-0604
• DOI: 10.2471/BLT.18.209767

Over one billion young people face the risk of developing permanent hearing loss due to the way they listen to music; this risk can be avoided through better awareness and legislation.2 In 2015, unaddressed hearing loss had a global cost of 750 billion United Sates dollars (US$).3 This figure is expected to rise as the number of people with hearing loss rapidly increases across the world.4 Predictions suggest that unless action is taken, as many as 630 million people could have disabling hearing loss by 2030; this number may reach nearly 900 million by 2050.5 Despite the overwhelming predictions, neither policy-makers nor the public prioritize hearing loss. The resolution also calls all stakeholders in this field to take action, including World Health Organization (WHO) Member States, professional groups, nongovernmental organizations, civil society, academicians clinicians, the private sector and United Nations agencies. There are several examples where global action coordinated by a multistakeholder alliance has been instrumental in raising awareness and promoting activities on public health issues.10-12 The areas of road safety, violence prevention and health systems have all benefitted from such alliances.