03 March 2015

1.1 Billion Young Adults at Risk of Hearing Loss

Governments must do more to protect the hearing of future generations, says World Health Organisation

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that unsafe listening practices could be ruining harmful to the hearing of teenagers and young adults in high and middle income countries. They have launched a public awareness drive to mark International Ear Care Day 2015, called “Make Listening Safe”, to highlight the 1.1 billion young people at risk from recreational and work-related sound.

Approximately 360 million people worldwide have moderate to profound hearing loss, or about 5.3% of the global population, and WHO statistics released this week show that over 43 million people aged between 12-35 years live with disabling hearing loss.

Recreational use of audio devices such as smartphones  is a major source of potential harm, as well as “exposure to damaging levels of sound at noisy entertainment venues”. Young people working in such venues are also at risk, where sound levels regularly reach above 100 decibels. Such levels can lead to noise-induced hearing loss after as little as 15 minutes of exposure.

“As they go about their daily lives doing what they enjoy, more and more young people are placing themselves at risk of hearing loss,” notes Dr Etienne Krug, Director of the WHO department responsible for the warning. The WHO have highlighted the important role governments must play in developing and enforcing legislation on recreational noise, and by raising awareness of the risks of hearing loss through public information campaigns.

“It is vital that governments, the health service and providers work together to educate patients and the public about the need to protect and maintain good hearing as part of a regular health regime,” said NCHA Policy Officer Jakob Stenkvist.

“Whilst it is important to note that the vast majority of hearing loss is age related, and mostly affects people over 50, we must increase our preventive efforts to avoid an increase in noise-induced hearing loss. Getting people thinking about protecting their hearing from a young age can reap major benefits in public health in future years.”

To learn more about International Ear Care Day, celebrated each year on 3^rd March, visit http://who.int/pbd/deafness/news/IECD/en/