Integrated people-centred ear and hearing care implemented through a strengthened health system can overcome the challenges faced, the WHO states in their first World Report on Hearing.

The WHO summarizes their recommendations in the acronym “H.E.A.R.I.N.G.”:

• Hearing screening and intervention
• Ear disease prevention and management
• Access to technologies
• Rehabilitation services
• Improved communication
• Noise reduction
• Greater community engagement

The WHO writes in its report that the implementation of public health interventions through the health system will benefit not only the lives of those affected and their families but also yield significant economic benefits and productivity gains.

Investing in and scaling up ear and hearing care during the next 10 years will yield a return of nearly 16 dollars for every 1 dollar invested in ear and hearing care, according to the WHO calculations.

The report can be downloaded here at the WHO website.

Source: www.who.int