The 3^rd of March is World Hearing Day, a World Health Organization (WHO) initiative that takes place annually “to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world.” Here’s why it matters.

According to the WHO, there are approximately 466 million people living with disabling hearing loss, with this figure expected to increase to 900 million by 2050 – that’s one in every 10 people! What’s more, around one third of people over the age of 65 currently suffer from disabling hearing loss.

What causes hearing loss?

The WHO reports that: “Hearing loss may result from genetic causes, complications at birth, certain infectious diseases, chronic ear infections, the use of particular drugs, exposure to excessive noise, and ageing.”

What should you watch out for?

If you find yourself experiencing one or several of the following symptoms, book a hearing test with an audiologist or appropriate healthcare practitioner as soon as possible.

• Muffling of speech and other sounds.
• Difficulty understanding words, especially against background noise or in a crowd.
• Trouble hearing consonants.
• Frequently asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly.
• Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio.
• Withdrawal from conversations.
• Avoidance of some social settings.

(Source: Mayoclinic.org)

In line with its 2019 theme, Check your hearing, the WHO is releasing hearWHO, an app designed to test your hearing and help you determine whether or not you need a formal hearing test. So, why not diarise World Hearing Day and download the app?

Finally, what about day-to-day aural care?

The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, “the world’s largest organization representing specialists who treat the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck,” (Entnet.org) recommends that you:

• Don’t overclean your ears.
• Don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear!
• Don’t use ear candles.
• Seek medical evaluation if you have symptoms of hearing loss, ear fullness, and ear pain and you’re sure they’re not caused by earwax.
• Seek medical attention should you experience ear pain, drainage, or bleeding – these are not symptoms of earwax impaction and need further evaluation.