30 May 2017

World Health Organisation to tackle hearing loss

Health leaders have agreed to intensify action to prevent deafness and hearing loss by passing a new resolution at the World Health Assembly in Geneva.

The new resolution aims to, "improve access to affordable, cost-effective, high-quality, assistive hearing technologies and products, including hearing aids, cochlear implants and other assistive devices, as part of universal health coverage, taking into account the delivery capacity of health care systems in an equitable and sustainable manner.”

The resolution also calls on governments to integrate strategies for ear and hearing care within the framework of their primary health care systems; to establish training programmes for health workers; implement prevention and screening programmes for high-risk populations; and improve access to affordable, cost-effective, high-quality, assistive hearing technologies and products.

It emphasises the importance of ensuring universal access to prevention and care. The resolution also called on the Secretariat to prepare a world report on hearing.

The full resolution can be read here.

Read the outcome of the the Seventieth World Health Assembly on Prevention of deafness and hearing loss.