Over 95 million children worldwide suffer from untreated …

WHO warns that over 95 million children live with untreated hearing loss, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, and urges early screening and primary care…

WHO warns that over 95 million children live with untreated hearing loss, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, and urges early screening and primary care to prevent long-term developmental setbacks. .special-section strong, .special-section b { font-family: 'EB Garamond', serif; font-weight: bold !important; font-size: x-large; /* Adjust if needed */ } .special-section blockquote.twitter-tweet { margin: 1.5rem auto; /* Center and space the tweet */ padding: 1rem; border-left: 4px solid #1DA1F2; /* Twitter blue for styling */ background-color: #f9f9f9; border-radius: 8px; } More than 95 million children and adolescents worldwide live with untreated hearing loss, with over 80 per cent of those in need receiving no care, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Monday, marking World Hearing Day.

WHO notes that nearly 60 per cent of ear and hearing problems could be prevented or treated through basic primary health care. The burden is particularly high in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Africa and South-East Asia, where many children lack access to essential ear and hearing services. Untreated hearing problems can delay speech and language development, hinder cognitive growth, and limit social interaction.

Such challenges often lead to poorer educational outcomes and reduced employment opportunities, underscoring the importance of early detection and intervention. “Communities and school settings provide a natural and effective platform to reach children with both preventive measures and early care. With practical and affordable solutions now available, no child should be left behind due to unaddressed ear and hearing problems," said Dr Shelly Chadha, WHO team lead for eye, ear, and oral health.

The agency urged governments, civil society, and partners across the health and education sectors to act urgently to protect children’s hearing. To support these efforts, WHO has provided countries with technical resources, including guidance on hearing screening, school-age vision and hearing handbooks, and strategies for delivering hearing aids in low-resource settings. These tools aim to equip health workers, teachers, and parents with the knowledge and skills to identify and manage common ear and hearing problems, ensuring timely referrals to higher levels of care.

WHO is also preparing to launch WHOears, a free mobile application for iOS and Android that allows trained personnel to conduct hearing screenings in schools and communities. The app expands access beyond traditional clinics, improving early identification and helping children receive care before hearing problems affect development or learning. According to WHO officials, integrating ear and hearing care into primary health care systems could significantly reduce the global care gap, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where most untreated cases occur.

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