There are many causes for hearing loss over the life span, covering all types and severities of hearing loss. Here is a list of the most common ones:

• Genetic inheritance;
• Maternal infections during pregnancy, such as rubella or cytomegalovirus (CMV);
• Viral infections such as mumps, measles or varicella zoster virus;
• Infections of the outer, middle or inner ear;
• Ototoxic drugs;
• Excessive cerumen;
• Injuries to the ear, head or brain;
• Acoustic trauma;
• Noise-induced hearing loss;
• Age-related hearing loss.

In the European Region, around 190 million individuals experience some degree of hearing loss, accounting for approximately 20% of the overall population. This means, 1 in 5 people in this region have some hearing loss or deafness. By 2050, 1 in 4 people are projected to have hearing loss, equivalent to 236 million European citizens (WHO, 2021).

• If hearing loss is left untreated, the yearly costs in terms of lost productivity value amount to € 149 billion;
• € 67 billion are spent p.a. due to reduced quality of life;
• € 8,200 additional costs arise per person p.a. due to untreated hearing loss;
• Working-age adults with untreated hearing loss more frequently work in low-wage jobs, face higher unemployment rates and early retirement;
• Untreated hearing loss is also associated with an increased hospitalisation, diminished quality of life and growing risks of co-morbidities, such as:
  • Cognitive decline including dementia (further research here)
  • Mental ill-health including depression and anxiety
  • Social isolation and loneliness

International studies have repeatedly proven the cost-effectiveness of cochlear implants compared to hearing-impaired people who qualify for a cochlear implant but who use hearing aids or no hearing device at all. This holds true for unilateral and bilateral cochlear implantation.

A study looking at nearly 100 cochlear implant users found that after being implanted, their employment rate had improved by 11% while 31% saw their income increase (D’Haese, 2016).

Considering wider economic factors, the net cost saving to society for paediatric cochlear implantation is over $53,000 per child over a lifetime (Cheng, 2000).

Cheng, A.K., et al., Cost-utility analysis of the cochlear implant in children. Jama, 2000. 284(7): p. 850-6

D’Haese, P., How Can Innovative Technologies Improve the Quality of Live for People Suffering from Hearing Loss? Eurohealth International, 2016. 22

• Raise awareness of the importance of hearing health among political stakeholders, highlighting the social and economic disadvantages for not treating severe-profound hearing loss appropriately
• Promote the need for robust national hearing health strategies including diagnosis, rehabilitation, service, and maintenance.
• National healthcare budgets must make funds available for treatment and reduce long waiting lists.

A growing body of evidence recognizes the elimination of potentially modifiable risk factors which could prevent or delay up to 40% of dementia cases. The primary modifiable risk factor is treating hearing loss in midlife, which reduces the risk by 8%. This is followed by depression (4%) and isolation in later life (4%), both of which frequently accompany untreated hearing loss.

Livingston G. et al, Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. Lancet. 2020 8-14 August; 396(10248): 413–446.

Myrstad C. et al, Hearing impairment and risk of dementia in The HUNT Study (HUNT4 70+): a Norwegian cohort study. EClinicalMedicine 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102319

Jiang F et al, Association between hearing aid use and all-cause and cause-specific dementia: an analysis of the UK Biobank cohort. Lancet Public Health. 2023 May;8(5):e329-e338.

Quality of life is defined by the presence of physical, mental and social well-being in addition to the absence of disease. Studies have shown that people with hearing loss experience adverse conditions such as social isolation, depression as well as other comorbidities commonly associated with hearing loss. Reduced social connectivity, which is strongly linked to the inability to hear and communicate with others, is a key confounding factor in quality of life.

Hearing loss treatment is instrumental in regaining independence and enhancing communication, and consequently, the quality of life for people with hearing loss. This can be attributed to improved social (re)integration, but also to factors like broader education and professional opportunities.

The reveals that almost all European hearing device users describe improved quality of life with their hearing treatment. 80% state that their hearing aids

are better than expected and that they should have gotten their hearing devices sooner due.