DHICE Deaf and Hearing Impaired Children Europe 2005

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A global perspective on resourcing childhood deafness

Friday May 13th 2005, 12:00pm — 12:30pm

Prof. Jan J Grote

Hearing is essential for human life in developing as well as developed countries in the 21st Century Information Society. The International Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies represents all national ENT societies around the world. In 1995, on the request of IFOS, The General Assembly of the WHO approved Resolution 48.9 for the prevention of Hearing Loss. Despite activities of many organizations, a concerted action is necessary to realise the goals of the Resolution. Awareness is still lacking on all levels, while hearing loss is the most occurring handicap – 10 % of the world population and, without prevention, this will increase to 12% in 2015.

Hearing Loss has a direct effect on 2 of the 8 Millennium goals, promoted by the United Nations, eradicate extreme poverty and achieve universal primary education. Children are especially vulnerable and prevention can be done.

At risk are:

  • Children in the developing world with chronic middle ear infections and preventable infectious diseases as rubella, measles and meningitis.
  • Children in the developed and developing world exposed to an increasing noise pollution.
  • Children without possibilities for adequate training and rehabilitation.

The crucial point to start prevention is to raise awareness. Hearing Loss as an important factor in health and development is not mentioned in programs of WHO and World Bank or in the Millennium goals of the United Nations. Also in most governments the awareness is insufficient.

Professionals dealing with the individual patient care are also not aware of the public health consequences of Hearing Loss.

In Europe the situation is also alarming. It is time to generate action and change. We know what needs to be done. It is time to act.

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