Rohit Shishodia
Around one fourth of the world population will have some and other form of hearing problems by 2050, reveals a World Health Organization (WHO) report.

The report has found that around 2.5 billion people worldwide ─ or 1 in 4 people ─ will suffer from some degree of hearing loss by 2050.

The report, which has been released on World Hearing Day on March 3, has pointed out that stigma attached with the problem and lack of accurate information to ear diseases and hearing loss often limit people from accessing care for these conditions.

The report finds out that even healthcare workers have lack information about prevention, early identification and management of hearing loss and ear diseases. This hampers their ability to provide the care required.

As per the report, in most nations, ear and hearing treatment is still not integrated into national health systems and accessing care services is challenging for those with ear diseases and hearing loss.

“Moreover, access to ear and hearing care is poorly measured and documented, and relevant indicators are lacking in the health information system,” reads the report.

The report has revealed that the most glaring gap in health system capacity is in human resources.

Around 78% have fewer than one ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist per million population in low-income countries while 93% have fewer than one audiologist per million.

As per the report, only 17% have one or more speech therapist per million; and 50% have one or more teacher for the deaf per million.

The report points out that this patient and doctor ratio can be closed through integration of ear and hearing care into primary health care through strategies such as task sharing and training, outlined in the report.

The report has found out that around 60% of hearing loss can be prevented through immunization for prevention of rubella and meningitis, improved maternal and neonatal care, and screening for, and early management of, otitis media - inflammatory diseases of the middle ear.

“In adults, noise control, safe listening and surveillance of ototoxic medicines together with good ear hygiene can help maintain good hearing and reduce the potential for hearing loss,” reads the report.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, "Our ability to hear is precious. Untreated hearing loss can have a devastating impact on people’s ability to communicate, to study and to earn a living. It can also impact on people’s mental health and their ability to sustain relationships."