Hearing Loss on the Rise in Africa

Hearing loss is on the rise in Africa, according to a recent report from the World Health Organization (2024). The continent continues to experience significant disparities in access to medical specialists, including ear and hearing care (EHC) providers. Most notably, 56 percent of African countries have one ear, nose, and throat specialist for every million people, and more than 75 percent have fewer than one audiologist and speech-language pathologist for every million people. Not surprisingly, the lack of EHC and services offered are contributing to the rise of hearing loss due to preventable childhood illnesses, with children in low- to middle-income countries most affected.

Reference

World Health Organization. (2024) Burden of hearing loss in Africa could rise to 54 million by 2030: WHO report (accessed November 5, 2024).