2015 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Rotarians and Hearing Loss –

Why should we care?

Dr Elaine Saunders, PHF and Hearing RAG

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COMMUNICATION

Code / Channel

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Did you hear me?

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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

?

? ? ?

?

? ?

?

? ? ? ? ?

? ?

(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

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