Skip to main content

A summary of the literature on global hearing impairment: current status and priorities for action.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Tucci, D; Merson, MH; Wilson, BS
Published in: Otol Neurotol
January 2010

BACKGROUND: Hearing loss (HL) and deafness are global issues that affect at least 278 million people worldwide. Two thirds of the people who have HL worldwide live in developing countries. Importantly, it is estimated that 50% of this HL can be prevented. In developing countries, funding for prevention, early detection, and rehabilitative programs is severely limited, and therefore, agencies must compete against priorities to treat life-threatening, pandemic diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus, malaria, and tuberculosis. Delays in diagnosis are common, and social attitudes, local customs, and cultural bias are contributing factors. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to gain an understanding of the prevalence of HL in the developing world and to focus attention on the growing need for both prevention and effective treatment programs. A second goal is to use this information to suggest priorities and approaches to address these problems worldwide. DATA SOURCES: The data were compiled from a review of the literature on the global impacts of hearing impairment and recently published reports on the prevalence and cause of hearing impairment in developing nations. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of HL in the developing world is due to a variety of factors, including lack of widespread comprehensive immunization programs and other medical care, and inadequate funds for intervention once HL is identified. International organizations, governments, and nongovernment organizations have many opportunities to prevent and treat HL through cost-effective means.

Duke Scholars

Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats

Published In

Otol Neurotol

DOI

EISSN

1537-4505

Publication Date

January 2010

Volume

31

Issue

1

Start / End Page

31 / 41

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Prevalence
  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Humans
  • Hearing Loss
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Global Health
  • Developing Countries
  • 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Tucci, D., Merson, M. H., & Wilson, B. S. (2010). A summary of the literature on global hearing impairment: current status and priorities for action. Otol Neurotol, 31(1), 31–41. https://doi.org/10.1097/mao.0b013e3181c0eaec
Tucci, Debara, Michael H. Merson, and Blake S. Wilson. “A summary of the literature on global hearing impairment: current status and priorities for action.Otol Neurotol 31, no. 1 (January 2010): 31–41. https://doi.org/10.1097/mao.0b013e3181c0eaec.
Tucci D, Merson MH, Wilson BS. A summary of the literature on global hearing impairment: current status and priorities for action. Otol Neurotol. 2010 Jan;31(1):31–41.
Tucci, Debara, et al. “A summary of the literature on global hearing impairment: current status and priorities for action.Otol Neurotol, vol. 31, no. 1, Jan. 2010, pp. 31–41. Pubmed, doi:10.1097/mao.0b013e3181c0eaec.
Tucci D, Merson MH, Wilson BS. A summary of the literature on global hearing impairment: current status and priorities for action. Otol Neurotol. 2010 Jan;31(1):31–41.

Published In

Otol Neurotol

DOI

EISSN

1537-4505

Publication Date

January 2010

Volume

31

Issue

1

Start / End Page

31 / 41

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Prevalence
  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Humans
  • Hearing Loss
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Global Health
  • Developing Countries
  • 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services