In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) released estimates which suggest that 360 million persons across the world live with disabling hearing loss.1 Amongst persons above 65 years of age, one out of three is reported to have hearing loss,Reference Stevens, Flaxman, Brunskill, Mascarenhas, Mathers and Finucane2 yet less than 3 per cent of persons receive the hearing aids they require.3 Equally troublesome is chronic otitis media, which affects 65 to 330 million people across the world.4
Despite the fact that two-thirds of people with hearing loss live in developing countries,Reference Olusanya and Newton5 services for hearing care remain elusive where they are most needed. The number of ENT surgeons per million ranges from 0 to 4 in low-income countries, as compared with a range of 9 to 178 ENT surgeons per million individuals in high-income countries.Reference Goulios, Patuzzi, McPherson and Brouillette6 In 18 countries of sub-Saharan Africa, there is an average of less than 1 ENT surgeon per 100 000 persons.Reference Fagan and Jacobs7 Moreover, the current global health priorities for developing countries have yet to pay attention to hearing loss.Reference Olusanya8 The overall low level of awareness about ear diseases and hearing loss at all levels within society adds to the growing burden.9
The World Health Assembly of 1995 passed a resolution drawing attention towards the growing problem and public health impact of hearing loss. This resolution urged the WHO member states to prepare national plans for the prevention and control of major causes of avoidable hearing loss. Since then, WHO has worked to develop a number of tools to assist the development and implementation of suitable strategies for ear and hearing care. The primary ear and hearing care training manuals, guidelines for hearing aids, and guiding principles for neonatal and infant hearing screening are key to the implementation of preventive and rehabilitative strategies. A number of organisations and agencies across the world have joined forces with WHO. The CBM (Christian Blind Mission), Hearing Conservation Council, International Federation of Otolaryngological Societies, International Society of Audiology, and American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery have formed a consortium to support the WHO programme for the prevention of deafness and hearing loss.
The focus of this programme is twofold. A key component is the provision of technical support for countries to develop programmes and plans for ear and hearing care integrated within primary healthcare systems. The WHO member states can seek assistance for the planning of programmes, as well as the development of implementation strategies and monitoring tools.
The other aspect of the programme addresses the need for advocacy with global agencies, countries and communities, to harness greater political and social commitment towards the prevention, identification and management of hearing loss.
The International Ear Care Day is an opportunity to undertake advocacy at all possible levels: global, regional, national and community. This day was the outcome of the Beijing Declaration made during the 1st International Conference on Prevention and Rehabilitation of Hearing Loss in 2007. The date ‘3 March’ was selected because of the similarity of the figures ‘3.3’ with the shape of our ears. The day is observed with a designated theme, decided by WHO in collaboration with its partners, collaborating centres and experts. The ‘day’ provides a unique opportunity to work together to draw the attention of media, policy-makers, administrators, health professionals and the general public towards the cause of hearing loss. Following a single theme helps to focus on one single aspect of ear and hearing care in a concerted manner. By observing this day, we can all help to create a global movement. This will compel others to give ear and hearing care the attention it deserves and to show persons with hearing loss their due respect.
In order to raise the profile of ear and hearing care on the global health agenda, all of us – ear and hearing care professionals, non-governmental organisations, collaborating centres, persons with hearing loss and their caregivers – must be a part of this movement. As members of the health profession, we dedicate ourselves every day to caring for our patients and their wellbeing. By devoting one day to the public health aspect of our chosen field, we can reach many more, and be a part of a worldwide effort to raise awareness and resources for ear and hearing care.
