Hearing Loss
GMJ News knowledge hub · last reviewed August 2026 · Georgian Medical Journal
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Hearing loss is the most prevalent sensory disability globally: 1.5 billion people have some degree of hearing loss, of whom 430 million require rehabilitation — yet only 17% of those who need hearing aids have access to them (WHO Global Hearing Report 2021). Unaddressed hearing loss costs the global economy approximately US$980 billion per year in lost productivity, education and social care. The good news: over 1 billion young people are at risk of preventable, noise-induced hearing loss — and WHO\'s HEAR framework identifies cost-effective interventions covering the entire hearing care cascade.
Key messages
430 million need rehabilitation
1.5 billion people have some degree of hearing loss, of whom 430 million have disabling hearing loss requiring rehabilitation. Only 17% of those who need hearing aids have access to them (WHO Global Hearing Report 2021).
1 billion at risk from noise
WHO estimates that over 1 billion young people aged 12-35 are at risk of preventable noise-induced hearing loss — from unsafe listening practices (personal audio devices too loud, for too long) and recreational noise.
WHO HEAR framework
WHO's HEAR framework — Hearing care over the life course, Evidence-based solutions, Advocacy and political will, Relationship-based services — provides a comprehensive approach to ear and hearing care integrated into primary health care.
$980 billion economic cost
Unaddressed hearing loss costs the global economy approximately US$980 billion per year in lost productivity, educational costs and healthcare costs — with 54% from loss of educational opportunities and reduced productivity.
Prevention is possible
Over 50% of hearing loss is preventable: through immunisation (rubella, meningitis vaccines), ear disease treatment, occupational noise limits, safe listening practices and avoidance of ototoxic drugs.
Cochlear implants transform outcomes
Cochlear implants — for eligible individuals with profound sensorineural hearing loss — provide functional hearing and enable spoken language development in children. They are highly cost-effective but remain inaccessible in most LMICs.
Key statistics
People with disabling hearing loss by region (millions) — WHO 2021
Source: WHO Global Hearing Report 2021. South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa have the highest burden.
Glossary of key terms
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Related health topics
DisabilityAgeing (presbycusis)Newborn health (screening)Meningitis (complication)Occupational health (noise)UHC
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