Abstract
Recent prevalence estimates indicate that in 2015 almost half a billion people—about 6.8% of the world’s population—had disabling hearing loss and that prevalence numbers will further increase. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently estimates that at least 34 million children under the age of 15 have disabling hearing loss. Based on a 2012 WHO report, approximately 7.5 million of these children were under the age of 5 years. This review article focuses on the importance of high-quality newborn and infant hearing screening (NIHS) programs as one strategy to ameliorate disabling hearing loss as a global health problem. Two WHO resolutions regarding the prevention of deafness and hearing loss have been adopted urging member states to implement screening programs for early identification of ear diseases and hearing loss in babies and young children. The effectiveness of these programs depends on factors such as governmental mandates and guidance; presence of a national committee with involvement of professionals, industries, and stakeholders; central oversight of hearing screening; clear definition of target parameters; presence of tracking systems with bi-directional data transfer from screening devices to screening centers; accessibility of pediatric audiological services and rehabilitation programs; using telemedicine where connectivity is available; and the opportunity for case discussions in professional excellence circles with boards of experts. There is a lack of such programs in middle- and low-income countries, but even in high-income countries there is potential for improvement. Facing the still growing burden of disabling hearing loss around the world, there is a need to invest in national, high-quality NIHS programs.
Highlights
Hearing loss has become the fourth leading cause of disability globally [1,2]
(WHO), a hearing loss is considered to be disabling for adults (15 years or older) if it is greater than g40redatBerinthtahne 4b0etdteBr ihneathriengbeetater.r hFoearrcinhgilderaern
Acknowledging the growing impact of disabling hearing loss, the World Health Assembly (WHA) approved a new resolution in 2017 (WHA 70.13) [22] that calls on governments and stakeholders in the field of ear and hearing care to initiate action for the prevention of deafness and hearing loss
Summary
Hearing loss has become the fourth leading cause of disability globally [1,2]. Disabling hearing loss impairs interpersonal communication, psychosocial wellbeing, academic and professional career opportunities, economic independence, and quality of life. Common risk factors for hearing loss, most of which are relevant to newborns and young children, are ear infections (in particular, chronic suppurative otitis media), rubella, measles, mumps, meningitis, congenital cytomegalovirus, ototoxic agents, and exposure to occupational or recreational noise Some of these factors have become less common during recent years in some regions of the world (e.g., rubella measles, mumps, meningitis), while others are increasing (e.g., exposure to loud recreational noise). Expert groups convened by WHO have developed several tools to support decision makers in the WHO member states These tools include brochures about the nature and reasons of childhood hearing loss and strategies for its prevention and care [18], summaries of the global costs of unaddressed hearing loss and the cost–benefits of various interventions [19], a situation analysis tool for ear and hearing care [20], and a manual on planning and monitoring national strategies for improving hearing health care [21]. Acknowledging the growing impact of disabling hearing loss, the World Health Assembly (WHA) approved a new resolution in 2017 (WHA 70.13) [22] that calls on governments and stakeholders in the field of ear and hearing care to initiate action for the prevention of deafness and hearing loss
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