What is the scope of the problem?
Hearing loss is a hidden disability and it is commonly diagnosed too late for optimal treatment.
Hearing impairment is the most common disability in newborn babies. Between 400,000 and 760,000 children with hearing loss were born world-wide in 2005 alone and in developing countries, the number is likely to be closest to the upper limit.
The incidence of hearing loss is 3/1000 children born in developed countries and higher in non-developed countries.
The implications of significant hearing loss in children include severe problems with:
Hearing loss is one of THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHILDHOOD DISABILITIES WORLDWIDE.
278 million people worldwide are affected with permanent hearing impairment. Two thirds of these live in developing countries.
Hearing impairment is also very common in adults and may cause depression and isolation.