HEAR

Access & Care

Although effective hearing solutions such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and bone conduction systems are widely available, many people still face barriers accessing them. This gap is not caused by a lack of technology, but by the absence of strong healthcare systems that guarantee equal access to lifelong hearing care (Canick et al., 2023). To fully realize the benefits of these innovations, hearing health must be placed at the heart of policy agendas.

The Gap Between Need and Access

10 years

Adults often wait up to 10 years before seeking treatment for hearing loss, a delay that can have serious long term consequences.

17%

Of those who would benefit from hearing aids, only 17% actually use one. When it comes to cochlear implants, the figure drops to just 4.2% (WHO, 2021).

Hearing Care Is Cost Efficient

Effective, person-centered hearing care significantly reduces the health impacts of untreated hearing loss while easing the strain on Europe’s health and social systems. In a 10-year period, investing in hearing care can yield returns of up to

$30 in benefits for every $1 spent

For Children

Prelingually deaf children who receive bilateral cochlear implants have a lifetime net benefit of approximately €433,000.

This accounts not only for improved health outcomes, but also reductions in educational costs, as well as an increase in productivity. (Neve et al., 2021)

For Adults

The total economic costs of hearing loss exceed $981 billion globally. 47% of those costs are due to a loss of quality of life, with 32% caused by additional costs of poor health in people with hearing loss. More than half of these costs are in low- and mid-income countries.

Global costs would be reduced by $49 billion if a 5% reduction in prevalence of hearing loss would take place (McDaid et al., 2021).

Technology and Rehabilitation

Innovative Hearing Technologies

Hearing solutions like hearing aids, bone conduction systems, and cochlear implants are transforming lives by breaking down communication barriers. With innovations such as rechargeable batteries and wireless connectivity, users benefit from greater flexibility and convenience.

Companies like MED-EL, a global leader in hearing implant technology, continue to develop cutting-edge solutions that support individuals in leading more connected and active lives.

Smiling young woman outdoors wearing a hear implant

Rehabilitation: A Person-Centered Approach

Hearing rehabilitation goes beyond technology, combining therapy and social support to maximize benefits and improve quality of life. To be truly effective, all interventions must be tailored to the individual. This means focusing on personal listening needs and preferences, rather than relying solely on audiological test results.

Often it requires a multidisciplinary approach, especially for children, who need prolonged therapy to develop language skills, gain independence, and receive education. Adults using hearing technology benefit from auditory training and guidance to maximize its effectiveness.

Access and care

Increase and facilitate access to hearing healthcare, interventions, treatment options and rehabilitation for persons living with hearing loss.

When provided with hearing healthcare and improved accessibility options, people living with hearing loss are empowered to choose the hearing care services that reflect their individual choices.

Our Policy Solution

Integrate Hearing Health

Call on Member States to incorporate hearing health into national health plans, create integrated care pathways for persons living with hearing loss, and adopt a holistic perspective of the individual, including mental and brain health.

Ensure Equal Access

Call on Member States to facilitate equal access, including appropriate reimbursement, to cost-effective hearing health interventions such as hearing aids and cochlear implants for children and adults.

Empower Informed Choices

Call on Member States to empower healthcare professionals and patients in making informed decisions about their options, including the availability of appropriate accessibility measures and assistive devices for hearing loss.

Enforce Accessibility Laws

Call on Member States to effectively transpose the Accessibility Act into national law and promote effective initiatives that improve access to health information and participation on an equal basis for persons with disabilities with respect to public facilities and buildings, audio-visual media services, hearing loops, captioning and sign language.

Join our Efforts: Endorse the Policy Manifesto

Let’s make hearing health a political priority!
We call on the European Commission to take action. By signing the Manifesto, you are supporting our efforts in advocating for a European Hearing Health Strategy!

Sign the Manifesto