By Akani Nkuna
Without urgent interventions, widespread hearing loss, which disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable populations, will continue to escalate, the Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Department said on Monday.
As the world commemorated World Hearing Day on Monday, the department warned against increasing existing inequalities in access to health services across Africa.
The theme for World Hearing Day this year was “Changing Mindsets: Empower Yourself. Make Ear and Hearing Care a Reality for All”.
It highlighted the importance of raising awareness about deafness and hearing loss while promoting access to essential ear and hearing care.
“Hearing is fundamental to communication, education, employment and overall wellbeing. If it is left unaddressed, hearing loss can hinder speech development, academic progress and economic opportunities. It can also lead to social isolation, stigma and reduced quality of life,” department spokesperson Cassius Selal said in a statement.
Hearing impairment is a pressing global health issue. In South Africa, an estimated 5.5 out of every 100 newborns have a hearing impairment.
The World Report on Hearing 2022 estimates that approximately four million South Africans live with a hearing disability. However, less than 600,000 people use South African sign language, making up only 0.02% of the national population.
By 2030, more than 500 million people are projected to experience disabling hearing loss, necessitating rehabilitation. Additionally, prolonged exposure to loud sounds from activities like music and gaming puts one billion young people at the risk of permanent hearing damage.
The 2025 theme continues from the 2024 focus on shifting perceptions and encouraging people of all ages to prioritise ear and hearing health.
Sela said addressing hearing impairments required improved access to ear and hearing care, especially in underserved areas.
Public education could help combat stigma and misconceptions, and strengthening national policies to integrate hearing care into primary healthcare was essential.
Furthermore, expanding training for professionals and investing in affordable assistive devices, such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, were just as important.
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