Post on 25-Jul-2015
2015 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
Rotarians and Hearing Loss –
Why should we care?
Dr Elaine Saunders, PHF and Hearing RAG
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INTERFERENCE IN SOCIAL LIFE
Social isolation, psychological
withdrawal, loneliness
Decreased
working capacity
Social Problem
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360 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE WITH DISABLING HEARING LOSS
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? ?
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? ? ? ? ?
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(WHO, 1: 2013)
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DISABLING HEARING LOSS ACROSS THE WORLD
East Asia 22%
Latin America and Caribbean
9%
Asia Pacific 10%
South Asia 27%
Middle East and North Africa
3%
Sub- Saharan Africa
9%
Central/ East Europe and Central Asia
9%
High-income 11%
(WHO, 9: 2012)
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WHY DON’T PEOPLE GET HELP?
• They know at some level that they have a hearing impairment but
do not admit it or think is it bad to ask for help.
• People know they have hearing impairment, but do not think that
anything can be done about it.
• Hearing aids and cochlear implants can be costly to purchase if
Government assistance is not available.
• There may be a lack of transport services in the local area or
difficulties in arranging transport to medical appointments.
• Some people avoid seeking help because they see it as ‘failing’.
(Guidelines for Local Government, undated: 12)
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CAUSES
Hearing
Loss
Chronic ear infections.
Collection of fluid in the ear
(otitis media).
Use of particular drugs, such as some antibiotic
and antimalarial medicines.
Injury to the head or ear.
Excessive noise
Infectious diseases such as meningitis, measles and mumps.
Ageing, in particular due to degeneration of sensory cells.
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Low level
of
schooling
Higher
unemployment
rate Early
retirement
Vocational
rehabilitation
services.
The high costs of
treatment (hearing
aids and cochlear
implants)
SO
CIO
-EC
ON
OM
IC
EFFECTS
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ACTIONS WORLDWIDE
ACTIONS
Screening
programs
Noise
protection
programs
Rehabilitation
programs
(affordable
hearing aids)
Awareness for
prevention of
hearing loss
Improving access to
education and
vocational
rehabilitation services
Prevention and
care programs
for children
Vaccination
programs
Raising awareness:
especially
amongst
employers