World Health Organization's Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office has revealed a concerning statistic: 78 million individuals in the region are currently suffering from hearing loss, imposing an annual cost of about $30 billion on these societies.
Projections indicate a rise to 194 million affected individuals by 2050.
The majority of those affected by hearing loss reside in low to middle-income countries within the region, lacking access to essential intervention services.
Over two million children, aged between one day and 15 years, are facing disabling hearing loss, necessitating rehabilitation to mitigate its impact on their lives.
The repercussions of untreated hearing loss extend beyond individuals, affecting families, local communities, and entire societies.
Globally, the economic burden of untreated hearing loss, including healthcare costs, lost productivity, and educational challenges, amounts to about one trillion US dollars annually.
Specifically, in the Eastern Mediterranean region, the cost of hearing loss to communities reaches $30 billion US dollars each year.
Cost-effective ear and hearing care interventions are highlighted, with additional annual investments of less than $0.90 US dollars per individual required to provide essential ear care services.
Over a decade, this investment is expected to yield a return of approximately seven US dollars for every dollar spent, emphasizing the critical need for prioritizing ear and hearing health.
The theme for World Hearing Day 2024, "Change Attitudes," underscores the importance of making ear and hearing care accessible and available to all.
This includes overcoming barriers to service access, such as financial constraints, lack of awareness, and social stigma associated with hearing health.
The focus is on proactive measures for early detection and interventions to minimize the effects of hearing loss, including newborn and infant screening across all levels of the health system.
Regular hearing screenings and integrating hearing checks into routine healthcare interventions are crucial steps toward better population health.
Creating inclusive environments in education, work, and other areas is essential for the well-being of individuals with hearing loss.
Facilities like sign language services, assistive technologies, and supportive policies ensure that people with hearing loss can thrive academically, professionally, and socially at all levels.
Follow the latest news on Google News
