10 Facts on Deafness

1. There are 360 million people in the world with disabling hearing loss.
2. Chronic ear infections are a leading cause of hearing loss.
3. Noise is a major avoidable cause of hearing loss.
4. Hearing loss can be due to the use of ototoxic medications.
5. Approximately 0.5-5 of every 1000 infants are born with or develop in early childhood disabling hearing loss.
6.  Nearly one out of every three people over the age of 65 are affected by hearing loss.
7. 50% of hearing loss is preventable through public health actions.
8. Raising awareness is essential for effective ear and hearing care.
9. About 20% of people with hearing loss need hearing aids in developing countries.
10. Sign language facilitates communication with deaf people.

Facts courtesy of: http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/deafness/facts/en/index9.html

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