Hearing Loss
The sound of music can be deafening
The threat of hearing loss looms over one billion people , especially youngsters who often listen to loud music without realising its dangers
“ Hearing loss has often been referred to as an ‘ invisible disability ’
The careless way many young people listen to loud music , either in clubs or through headphones , illustrates the poor understanding of the risks of ear damage caused by noise and loud sounds , a disregard that can lead to serious hearing loss unless precautions are taken .
This risk-taking attitude among the young reflects a wider lack of awareness about how to protect our ears that is widespread across many communities . A problem highlighted by the first-ever World Report on Hearing compiled by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) in 2021 , hearing loss is now considered an ‘ invisible disability ’.
“ Hearing loss has often been referred to as an ‘ invisible disability ’, not just because of the lack of visible symptoms , but because it has long been stigmatized in communities and ignored by policymakers ,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , the Director-General of the WHO , in the report .
The scale of the problem is enormous , with the WHO estimating that more than one billion young people are at risk of permanent hearing loss , often unknowingly , due to unsafe music listening .
Loud sounds can destroy the sensory cells in the ear that allow the hearing system to function , and the damage can ’ t be reversed , leading to permanent loss of hearing .
If not addressed , hearing loss can create communication challenges that vary according to the severity of the condition . This means some people may struggle to understand quiet speech while others won ’ t hear even loud sounds like alarms . Some may often need to ask others to repeat what was said .
A prime example is 22-year-old university student Matt Brady who has permanent ear damage from regularly listening to music with earphones while exercising , according to the WHO report . His level of damage makes it difficult for him to have a conversation when there ’ s background noise .
Hearing loss can also affect performance at school , with those affected having a higher risk of dropping out or not pursuing higher education . Adults with the condition are also more likely to be unemployed or underemployed . One study conducted in Finland showed that 25 years olds with hearing loss were twice as likely to be unemployed .
Another negative consequence is increased social isolation and loneliness , likely due to reduced participation in social activities . It ’ s not surprising then that people suffering from the condition report experiencing a lower quality of life compared to peers with normal hearing .
More than 430 million people in the world currently have a form of disabling hearing loss . By 2050 , estimates suggest this number could skyrocket to about 700 million who will require rehabilitation services , while 2.5 billion will be living with some degree of hearing loss . Roughly 30 million people are already suffering from profound or complete hearing loss in both ears . Most people affected by a form of hearing loss live in low- and middle-income countries .
Loud noise , however , isn ’ t the only culprit , as hearing loss can also be the result of other factors . These include genetic syndromes ( including Usher ’ s , Alport , and Pendred syndromes ), the ear condition otitis media , infections common in childhood ( measles , mumps , and meningitis ), certain medications , and nutritional deficiencies . In addition , smoking increases hearing loss risk , though this wears off quickly after kicking the habit . In particular , genetic causes are responsible for more than 50 percent of hearing loss cases in newborns and about 40 percent of cases in children . Suppurative otitis media , one form of the condition , is estimated to have caused hearing loss ( mild or greater ) in almost 100 million people .
The good news is that most cases are preventable through better awareness and measures that minimise the risk posed by loud sounds .
The WHO report says that 60 percent of hearing loss among children is due to preventable causes , with the simple implementation of rubella and meningitis immunisation estimated to be able to prevent over 19 percent of cases . Vaccination can
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