Prevention of blindness and deafness

Prevention of deafness and hearing impairment

WHO/A.Smith

Activities at the World Health Organization for prevention of deafness and hearing impairment assist Member States in reducing and eventually eliminating avoidable hearing impairment and disability through appropriate preventive and rehabilitative measures.

Its strategic target is to eliminate 50% of the burden of avoidable hearing loss by the year 2010.

News

WHO and WWHearing embark on new collaboration to provide affordable hearing aids

More information

WHO/C.deBode


18 October 2006 - WHO and WWHearing (World Wide Hearing Care for Developing Countries) agreed to work together to encourage and enable provision of affordable hearing aids and services on a massive scale, especially in developing countries and underserved communities.

AREAS OF WORK:

Primary ear and hearing care

A training resource aimed at reducing deafness and hearing problems in developing countries.

Epidemiology and economic analysis

Promoting surveys and gathering data for measuring the burden of deafness and hearing impairment.

Strategies for prevention

Developing strategies for prevention: currently addressing ototoxic drugs, chronic otitis media, excessive noise, provision of affordable hearing aids.

National programmes

Assisting countries to develop national programmes for prevention of deafness and hearing impairment.

Raising awareness

Raising awareness, knowledge and skill amongst primary health care and other health workers.

FEATURES:

WHO fact sheet

Definition of hearing impairment and deafness, causes, social and economic burden, solutions.

Photo stories

Photos and stories of people living with hearing impairment.

Fact file

Facts about deafness and hearing impairment.

NEW

Training resource on hearing care

A training resource aimed at managing ear diseases and reducing hearing problems in developing countries.

Photo gallery

A new selection of photographs of people living with hearing impairment from different countries.

Contact us

World Health Organization
Prevention of Blindness and Deafness
20 Avenue Appia
CH-1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
WHOPBD@who.int

Chronic diseases and health promotion

Global advocacy, reducing population risks, promoting health, managing diseseas, measuring progress.