With the slogan “Action for hearing loss: make a sound investment” the World Health Organization (WHO) is drawing attention to the economic impact of hearing loss and cost effectiveness of interventions to address it on the World Hearing Day 2017. The Hear the World Foundation is a proud supporter of the day and promotes the WHO's topic with a powerful spot.
The price of unaddressed hearing loss is high
The focus of the WHO's campaign of this year’s International World Hearing Day lies on the economic impact of unaddressed hearing loss, the significant impact on the lives of those affected, their families, communities and countries and the cost-effectiveness of interventions to address it. In a new report released (Global costs of unaddressed hearing loss and cost-effectiveness of interventions) the WHO estimates that lack of attention towards hearing loss poses an overall annual cost of 750 billion dollars globally.
WHO Fact
A problem that can be addressed
Today, hearing loss can be addressed cost-effectively through prevention through early identification and treatment of ear infections and reduction of noise exposure, early intervention programmes that help identify hearing loss through the screening of newborn and school-aged children and adults above 50 years of age and provision of appropriate hearing devices, accompanied with rehabilitation. Such initiatives can reduce the impact of hearing loss and ensure that people with hearing loss have equal oportunities in life as their hearing peers.
Our sound investment since 2006
The Hear the World Foundation supports people, and particularly children, with hearing loss around the world and gets involved in prevention. Since its establishment the Swiss foundation supported over 80 projects in 39 countries with funding, hearing technology and expertise. With this support, thousands of people with hearing loss were provided with ear medical care.