Document Detail


A summary of the literature on global hearing impairment: current status and priorities for action.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20050266     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Hearing loss (HL) and deafness are global issues that affect at least 278 million people worldwide. Two thirds of the people who have HL worldwide live in developing countries. Importantly, it is estimated that 50% of this HL can be prevented. In developing countries, funding for prevention, early detection, and rehabilitative programs is severely limited, and therefore, agencies must compete against priorities to treat life-threatening, pandemic diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus, malaria, and tuberculosis. Delays in diagnosis are common, and social attitudes, local customs, and cultural bias are contributing factors. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to gain an understanding of the prevalence of HL in the developing world and to focus attention on the growing need for both prevention and effective treatment programs. A second goal is to use this information to suggest priorities and approaches to address these problems worldwide. DATA SOURCES: The data were compiled from a review of the literature on the global impacts of hearing impairment and recently published reports on the prevalence and cause of hearing impairment in developing nations. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of HL in the developing world is due to a variety of factors, including lack of widespread comprehensive immunization programs and other medical care, and inadequate funds for intervention once HL is identified. International organizations, governments, and nongovernment organizations have many opportunities to prevent and treat HL through cost-effective means.
Authors:
Debara Tucci; Michael H Merson; Blake S Wilson
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology     Volume:  31     ISSN:  1537-4505     ISO Abbreviation:  Otol. Neurotol.     Publication Date:  2010 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-12-23     Completed Date:  2010-03-02     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100961504     Medline TA:  Otol Neurotol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  31-41     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Division of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. tucci001@mc.duke.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Developing Countries
Health Services Needs and Demand
Hearing Loss / epidemiology*,  prevention & control,  therapy
Humans
Prevalence
World Health*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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