Deafness and hearing loss
Disabling hearing loss refers to hearing loss greater than 35 decibels (dB) in the better hearing ear in adults. When unaddressed, a person with hearing loss can experience significant impacts on communication, speech, cognition, and social interactions, as well as educational and employment aspects. The majority of people with disabling hearing loss live in low- and middle-income countries.
The Western Pacific Region is estimated to have the highest prevalence of hearing loss in the world with approximately 7% of people experiencing hearing loss. By 2050, the Region is projected to host the largest number of people with hearing loss, approximately 760 million. WHO warns that a significant portion of these numbers in the Region consists of young people at risk of preventable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. This includes exposure to loud sounds on personal audio devices and in noisy entertainment venues.
The WHO programme for prevention of deafness and hearing loss works towards the vision of a world in which no one experiences hearing loss from preventable causes and those with unavoidable hearing loss can achieve their full potential through appropriate interventions, education and empowerment. It aims to promote ear and hearing care (EHC), integrated within national primary health care systems.
Deafness and hearing loss are widespread and found in each country in the Western Pacific. Currently, more than 546 million people live with hearing loss in the Western Pacific; 430 million of them have disabling hearing loss.
In children, 60% of hearing loss cases are attributed to preventable causes. Otitis media is one of the most significant preventable conditions during early childhood in the Western Pacific Region. At the other end of the lifespan, approximately 30% of people aged 60 and older have hearing loss, mainly due to presbycusis. Without intervention, these conditions in older adults might present severe consequences for health and well-being.
Many of the impacts of hearing loss can be mitigated through early detection and interventions. These include specialized education programmes and sign language instruction for young children and their families. Assistive technologies, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, closed captioning and other devices can help people with hearing loss at any age. People may also benefit from speech therapy, aural rehabilitation and other related services.
WHO continues to support Member States in their efforts to address hearing loss in the Region. This includes technical support for promoting integrated people-centred ear and hearing care (IPC-EHC).
WHO’s work is guided by the recommendations in the World Report on Hearing and the World Health Assembly resolution on prevention of deafness and hearing loss. In addition, the WHO supports Member States by endorsing the Regional Action Framework for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control in the Western Pacific. This Framework encourage governments to adopt evidence-based, economical strategies and reshape their healthcare systems, transitioning from a "sick system" to a "health system" that fosters health-supportive environments and prioritizes individuals' needs across their lifespans. WHO’s work in the Western Pacific Region includes:
- Facilitating data generation and dissemination of ear and hearing care-related data and information, such as through the World Report on Hearing;
- Providing technical resources and guidance to facilitate planning and health systems capacity building for ear and hearing care;
- Providing guidance to strengthen rehabilitation for people with hearing loss through the Package of interventions for rehabilitation for hearing loss;
- Supporting health workforce training in ear and hearing care through the Primary ear and hearing care training resources;
- Observing and promoting World Hearing Day as an annual advocacy event;
- Building partnerships to develop strong hearing care programmes in the Region;
