DUBAI, UAE, May 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, welcomed the news that the World Health Assembly (WHA) has today supported a resolution that provides a hearing health policy action plan and recognises the benefits of prevention, intervention and treatment of hearing loss globally.

The WHA, the governing body of the World Health Organization (WHO), which includes senior health leaders from 192 member nations, has reaffirmed that concrete steps must be taken in order to make progress in dealing with the rising prevalence of hearing loss.  The resolution reinforces that hearing loss is a significant public health issue, requiring every government to make it a higher priority and develop a national action plan to address it.

The WHO estimates that over 360 million people - over 5 per cent of the world's population - live with disabling hearing loss, 32 million of whom are children.^[1] With prevalence rates rising, the global cost of unaddressed hearing loss has recently been estimated at $750 billion per year.^[1]

The WHA resolution outlines practical, cost effective steps, starting with awareness, hearing screening programs at key stages of life, and making assistive hearing technologies, such cochlear implants, more accessible to those who need them.

Chris Smith, Cochlear CEO & President, welcomed the leadership of government health policy leaders worldwide.

"This resolution gives hope to people with disabling hearing loss, no matter their age, or where they're from," said Smith.  "In some countries, children with hearing loss are excluded from schooling. Adults with hearing loss are unable to find work or fulfil their potential, and older adults face costly health problems when hearing loss is unaddressed."

"The jury is no longer out - deafness and hearing loss have been found to be a significant global public health issue and the world's leading health policy-setting body has said it's time to act.  At Cochlear, we are driven by our mission to improve the lives of people with hearing loss, and as a hearing health expert, we join with other stakeholders to play our part in tackling this global health issue."

"This resolution is a major milestone and if implemented, has the potential to alleviate the enormous burden experienced by millions of people and many societies."

The resolution sets out a number of critical steps for addressing the impact of deafness and hearing loss, including:

• Raised awareness among decision-makers and the general public about the high prevalence of hearing loss and its social and economic impact
• Improved access to affordable, high-quality assistive hearing technologies and products, including hearing aids and cochlear implants, as part of universal health coverage
• Enhanced screening programmes to identify and diagnose ear disease and hearing loss early, with attention placed on infants, young children and older adults
• Raised awareness of noise-induced hearing loss and implementation of measures that address occupational, environmental and recreational exposure to noise
• Better data collection on ear disease and hearing loss to educate and inform policy decision-makers to develop evidence-based strategies

Many of the causes of hearing loss can be avoided through public health measures; it is estimated that 60 per cent of hearing loss in children can be prevented. This figure is higher (75 per cent) in low and middle-income countries than in high-income countries (49 per cent).^[2]

At present, it is estimated that hearing aid production meets only 10 per cent of the global need.^[3] The benefits of cochlear implants are widely acknowledged for children^[2],[4],[5] and evidence shows that cochlear implantation for adults is an effective intervention for a much wider group of candidates than had previously been thought.^[6]

About Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH) 

Cochlear is the global leader in implantable hearing solutions. The company has a global workforce of 3,000 people and invests more than AUD$100 million a year in research and development. Products include hearing systems for cochlear, bone conduction and acoustic implants. Over 450,000 people of all ages, across more than 100 countries, now hear because of Cochlear. http://www.cochlear.com

About Cochlear Implants  

The trade name for cochlear implants manufactured by Cochlear is the Cochlear™ Nucleus^® series cochlear implants. The approved indications for the use of Cochlear Nucleus series cochlear implants is the treatment of moderate to profound hearing loss. Please seek advice from your medical practitioner or health professional about treatments for hearing loss. They will be able to advise on a suitable solution for the hearing loss condition. All products should be used only as directed by your medical practitioner or health professional.  Not all Cochlear products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative here: http://www.cochlear.com/wps/wcm/connect/intl/contact/global-offices

References 

1. World Health Organization. Factsheet No*300 [Internet]. 2017 [cited February 2017]. Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs300/en/
2. WHO Childhood hearing loss: act now, here is how! 2016 [cited 10 May 2017].  Available from: http://www.who.int/pbd/deafness/world-hearing-day/2016/en/
3. WHO, World Bank. World report on disability. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2011. Available at http://www.who.int/disabilities/world_report/2011/en/
4. Papsin BC, Gordon KA. Cochlear implants for children with severe-to-profound hearing loss. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007 Dec 6;357(23):2380-7.
5. Marschark M, Rhoten C, Fabich M. Effects of cochlear implants on children's reading and academic achievement. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education. 2007.
6. Lamb B, Archbold S.  Adult Cochlear Implantation: Evidence and experience, The Case for a Review of Provision. Nottingham: The Ear Foundation. [cited 10 May 2017]. Available from: http://www.earfoundation.org.uk/files/download/667

SOURCE Cochlear Middle East FZ-LLC