By 2050 nearly 2.5 billion people are projected to have some degree of hearing loss and at least 700 million will require hearing rehabilitation, according to WHO.
Over 1 billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices.
An annual additional investment of less than US$ 1.40 per person is needed to scale up ear and hearing care services globally.
Over a 10-year period, this promises a return of nearly US$ 16 for every US dollar invested.
Over 5% of the world’s population – or 430 million people – require rehabilitation to address their disabling hearing loss (432 million adults and 34 million children). It is estimated that by 2050 over 700 million people – or 1 in every 10 people – will have disabling hearing loss.
‘Disabling’ hearing loss refers to hearing loss greater than 35 decibels (dB) in the better hearing ear. Nearly 80% of people with disabling hearing loss live in low- and middle-income countries. The prevalence of hearing loss increases with age, among those older than 60 years, over 25% are affected by disabling hearing loss.
Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency