1. World Hearing Day 2019
Check your hearing!

2. Hearing loss is on the rise
World Health Organization
Hearing loss is on the rise
3 April, 2019
Over 460 million people globally have disabling hearing loss.
WHO estimates that unless action is taken to prevent and address hearing loss, the numbers could rise to over 900 million by
Hearing loss is on the rise. Presently, 466 million people live with disabling hearing loss. Unless action is taken, this number could rise to 630 million by 2030; it could cross 900 million by 2050.

3. Unaddressed hearing loss has an impact
World Health Organization
Unaddressed hearing loss has an impact
3 April, 2019
Increased costs to health systems
Failure to achieve the goal of education to all
Lost productivity due to unemployment
Increased need for ear and hearing care services and resources
What does this mean for countries…..
Unaddressed hearing loss poses an annual global cost of $750 billion

4. Unaddressed hearing loss impacts individuals and their families
Communication
Education
Deaf children (who have no hearing) would be unable to develop spoken language without interventions.
Children with hearing loss (who can hear, but not as well as others) can have delayed language development.
Children with unaddressed hearing loss have increased rates of grade failure and greater need for education assistance. 

5. Unaddressed hearing loss: the impact
Employment
Social and emotional impact
Adults with unaddressed hearing loss also have a much higher unemployment rate.
Among those who are employed, they often earn lower wages compared with the general workforce and retire early.
Exclusion from communication can have a significant impact on everyday life, causing feelings of loneliness, isolation, and frustration.
It is associated with early cognitive decline in older persons with hearing loss.

6. Hearing loss can be addressed
Many causes which lead to hearing loss can be prevented through public health strategies e.g. immunization against rubella and meningitis; reduction of noise exposure in occupational and recreational settings.

7. Hearing loss can be addressed
Those who develop hearing loss can achieve their full potential through:
Rehabilitation
Use of hearing devices
Education
Empowerment

8. Early identification followed by prompt and appropriate interventions are key to addressing hearing loss

9. Means for early identification
Universal newborn screening
School ear and hearing checks
This refers to screening for hearing loss at or soon after birth
Those detected with hearing loss must receive appropriate care in the form of devices, therapy and rehabilitation
This offers regular screening for early identification and management of common ear conditions and hearing loss through school-based programmes

10. Means for early identification
Regular screening of populations at risk
Annual hearing testing of persons above 60 years of age
Targets those who are at higher risk of hearing loss:
Exposed to noise at work
Listening to loud music
Using medicines that can harm hearing
To identify age-related hearing loss and provide suitable interventions at the earliest

11. hearWHO
In order to facilitate hearing screening for adults, WHO has developed a software application.
This is available for free download and use through android and iOS based devices.
It is a simple test based on validated digits-in-noise technology.

12. What is hearWHO?
This app gives the general public access to a hearing screener to:
check their hearing status, and
monitor it over time.
The app
clearly display the users’ results, and
keeps a personalized track record of their hearing status over time.

13. Who can use it? Adults Health workers
It can be used by anyone to check their own hearing from time to time.
It is especially recommended for those who are at higher risk of heating loss.
If one does not receive a favourable outcome from this screening, s/he should seek medical attention from a health care professional.
Can use it to screen members of their communities in their own homes or at a convenient location, eg older adults can be screened in their homes.
Those who fail screening must be referred for an audiometry and intervention.

14. Hearing loss is not always apparent

15. Governments should act

16. Conclusion On World Hearing Day 2019, WHO highlights that:
Unaddressed hearing loss poses a serious concern for governments and for individuals and families affected.
Early identification is the first step to addressing hearing loss. This must be followed by appropriate interventions.
hearWHO is a tool that can be used by:
Adults to regularly check and keep track of their hearing.
Health workers to screen hearing in the community.

17. Download now