K Graydon1, C Waterworth1, H Miller2, H Gunasekera3. 1. Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology,University of Melbourne,Carlton,Australia. 2. Centre for Kidney Research,Children's Hospital at Westmead,Australia. 3. Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School,University of Sydney,Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hearing loss can present at birth or be acquired as a result of illness, middle-ear disease, injury, age, overuse of certain medications, and/or induced by exposure to damaging noise levels. There are serious short-term consequences for people living with hearing impairment, including the effects on language acquisition, education, employment and overall wellbeing. There are also complex long-term implications. OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to present some of the leading causes of ear disease and hearing loss globally, and to identify their impact at both an individual and societal level.
BACKGROUND: Hearing loss can present at birth or be acquired as a result of illness, middle-ear disease, injury, age, overuse of certain medications, and/or induced by exposure to damaging noise levels. There are serious short-term consequences for people living with hearing impairment, including the effects on language acquisition, education, employment and overall wellbeing. There are also complex long-term implications. OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to present some of the leading causes of ear disease and hearing loss globally, and to identify their impact at both an individual and societal level.