Hearing impairment is considered the most prevalent impairment – almost 600 million, an estimated 10 % of people worldwide have mild or worse hearing impairment. 250 million have moderate or worse hearing impairment. Two thirds of them live in developing countries.

Hearing impairment in childhood has severe consequences for the development of speech, language and cognitive skills. Hearing impaired children in developing countries often do not have access to any form of education.

Also, if occurring at later stages in life, hearing impairment leads to difficulties in obtaining and in keeping work. Many persons with hearing impairment find it difficult to take part in conversations, therefore they may easily fall into social isolation.

Illnesses that are less common in industrialised countries often lead to widespread damaged hearing or complete hearing loss in developing countries, where health workers and access to health care are scarce and often the population is less informed.

Up to 6% of children under the age of 10 years in developing countries suffer from chronic otitis media. If it is not treated early, only an operation may be able to prevent severe hearing impairment.

• Mumps, measles, meningitis, cerebral malaria, and other infections can cause deafness in children.
• Infections during pregnancy (e.g. rubella, syphilis), birthing difficulties and the use of ototoxic drugs carry the risk of hearing impairment for the baby.

Half of deafness and hearing impairment is avoidable. The key to preventing the effects of hearing impairment is education. The main targets are local health personnel, but public awareness of the problem significantly advances early detection and management. Screenings in schools enable to detect and treat ear diseases. Many of the infections leading to hearing impairment can be prevented by vaccination – e.g. rubella, meningitis, measles and mumps.

Where hearing impairment is already unavoidable, the individual and social impact can be alleviated by providing hearing aids, rehabilitation and education.

Information on clinical patterns causing hearing impairment:
Otitis Media
Congenital Deafness
Presbyacusis

Information on CBM’s programmes for people with hearing loss:
Prevention of Hearing Impairment
Audiology and Speech Therapy
Education of Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind People