Millions of Africans at Risk of Hearing Loss Without Action

The latest World Health Organization (WHO) report estimates that 40 million Africans suffer from hearing loss, but that number could rise to 54 million by 2030 if no action is taken. WHO warned that without urgent interventions it will continue to escalate, amplifying existing inequalities in access to health services. The report shows that hearing loss already costs the continent $27 million annually. The UN agency said hearing loss has far-reaching consequences for children, including delays in language development, thus increasing the risk of poor educational outcomes and limited career prospects in the future. Meanwhile, adults with untr…