Costs to Society

Cost of Untreated Hearing Loss

Untreated hearing loss costs the EU €185 billion annually in unemployment, reduced productivity, and early retirement—€17 billion more than the 2020 EU budget (Shield, 2019). Including medical expenses and other comorbidities, the total cost rises to €213 billion.

In Western Europe, untreated hearing loss is the leading cause of years lost to disability (Davis, 2016). Beyond economic impacts like reduced earning potential, specialist education costs, and a doubled unemployment rate, it drives increased use of hospitals, assisted living, and social care services. Health effects include:

The index of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) estimates adult hearing loss will reach 2.9%, reducing the quality of life for 196 million Europeans and costing €67 billion.

 

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Hearing Care is Cost-Effective

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. According to WHO, investing in hearing care delivers up to $16 in benefits for every $1.40 spent.

  • For Children: Cochlear implants enable many children to develop essential speech and language skills, allowing them to attend mainstream schools and reducing educational costs.
    Read more about hearing loss in children
  • For Adults: Treating progressive hearing loss has proven economic benefits. A study of cochlear implant users revealed a 10% increase in employment rates and a 31% rise in income after six years (Clinkard, 2015). Read more about hearing loss in Adults
  • National Savings: In the UK, implementing a National Hearing Screening Programme for individuals over 65 could save €2.34 billion within 10 years (Lamb et al, 2016).

Investing in hearing care improves quality of life, enhances productivity, and delivers measurable economic returns—benefiting individuals and society alike.

 

 

How can Policy Makers help?

  • Raise awareness of the importance of hearing health, the impact of hearing loss and the benefits of hearing loss treatment among the public and healthcare professionals.
  • Promote the need for robust national hearing health strategies including diagnosis, rehabilitation, service and maintenance.
  • Acknowledge access to professional hearing care as a right.
  • Promote access to effective treatments including hearing aids, bone conduction devices, and cochlear implants.
  • Explore and invest in effective methods of prevention and rehabilitation for hearing loss.
  • Share best practices among EU Member States.

Related News and Stories

Policy Manifesto on Hearing Health

In our Policy Manifesto on Hearing Health we emphasize the cost of untreated hearing loss and how to overcome them. By reading and signing this policy document you can support our call for the launch of a European Hearing Health Strategy.
16/08/2019

Severe Hearing Loss in the Aging Population Poses a Global Public Health Challenge.

How Can We Better Realize the Benefits of Cochlear Implantation to Mitigate This Crisis?

Global costs of unaddressed hearing loss and cost-effectiveness of interventions

Millions of people across the world live with unaddressed hearing loss and lack access to required ear and hearing care services. While the impact of hearing loss on individuals and families is well established, there have been relatively few attempts to assess at its economic costs, especially in lowand middle-income countries and at the global level...