Deafness Fact Sheet
Worldwide, 278 million people are estimated to have moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears. 80 percent of deaf and hearing-impaired people live in low- and middle-income countries. The major preventable causes of hearing impairment in low- and middle-income countries are middle ear infections, excessive noise, inappropriate use of certain drugs, problems during childbirth and vaccine-preventable infections. One quarter of cases of hearing impairment begin during childhood. At least half of all hearing impairment is preventable. Immunization against childhood diseases such as measles, meningitis, rubella and mumps is key to preventing hearing impairment. Detecting and responding to hearing impairment in babies and young children is vital for the development of speech and language. Hearing aid can reduce this disability in many children. many people In developing countries, fewer than 1 in 40 people who need a hearing aid have one.
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