Hearing loss already costs the continent $27 million a yearwhich has a profound impact on lives and economies, according to the report, which was launched at the African Summit on Hearing Impairment in Nairobi, Kenya.
Widespread hearing loss disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable populations. The WHO warned that without urgent interventions the situation will continue to increase, amplifying existing inequalities in access to health services.
lost children
The UN agency said hearing loss has far-reaching consequences for children, including delays in language development, increasing the risk of poor educational outcomes and limited career prospects in the future.
Meanwhile, adults with untreated hearing loss often face isolation, loneliness, and an increased risk of depression and dementia.
The report details numerous factors driving the rise in hearing loss in the WHO African Region, which covers 47 countries. Chief among them is the severe shortage of ear and hearing specialists (EHC), as well as the unequal distribution of the available workforce, which is primarily located in urban areas.
Shortage of professionals
For example, more than 56 percent of African countries have only one otolaryngologist per million people, while in Europe it is approximately 50 per million.
Meanwhile, more than three-quarters of countries have fewer than one audiologist and one speech therapist per million people.
AND Although 33 million Africans could benefit from a hearing aid, only about 10 percent have access. due to lack of EHC funding and subsequent high costs.
Neonatal screening is lacking
The report noted that among children living in low- and middle-income countries, Up to 75 percent of hearing loss is due to preventable causes. such as common ear infections and diseases, as well as childbirth complications. However, most countries do not routinely perform hearing screenings for newborns.
Even in countries with EHC programs, related interventions are not integrated into school and workplace health programs, nor into healthy aging programs.
This challenge is further compounded by the lack of national policies and plans to strengthen EHC provision and low implementation, even where they exist. Furthermore, 35 percent of countries do not have a budget allocated to EHC activities, meaning that patients must bear the full cost of treatment and care.
Promotion, integration and financing
The report contains several recommendations. For example, countries should leverage the findings to drive action at the highest level, including promoting policies focused on EHC and related activities.
EHC should also be urgently integrated into existing programs to optimize the use of scarce resources, while governments should explore public-private partnerships to strengthen services.
The report also highlighted the need for specific funding for EHC, to equip facilities and deliver products and technologies, among other measures.
