The World Health Organization estimates that 466 million people worldwide suffer from hearing loss . Of these, 34 million are children. By 2050, this number could increase to 900 million if preventive measures are not taken and appropriate therapies are not implemented. Causes of hearing loss Deafness can be present at birth - congenital deafness - or develop at any time in life - acquired deafness. Congenital deafness can be genetic or caused by changes that occur during pregnancy or childbirth. It affects 1 in 1000 newborns, is often profound and needs early detection and rehabilitation. Acquired deafness may be due to ear infections (acute or chronic otitis), systemic infections (eg meningitis, mumps), trauma, or recurrent and prolonged exposure to noise. Hearing screening and early diagnosis Hearing screening should be performed at birth , in preschool age (5-6 years) and in adults whenever there is a suspicion of alterations in the functioning of the ear. At birth In Portugal, universal neonatal hearing screening has made it possible to detect and rehabilitate more than 90% of cases of congenital or acquired deafness in early childhood. This screening test is carried out during neonatal hospitalization; When alterations are detected or risk factors for deafness are present, the child is referred to an otolaryngology consultation for clinical investigation and additional complementary exams needed. In childhood At this stage, all children with learning difficulties or speech delays or disorders should be evaluated early in an otolaryngology consultation, especially if they have a history of recurrent otitis, chronic nasal obstruction, snoring and sleep apnea (due to adenoid hypertrophy). Language disorders may be due to the hearing loss caused by those disorders and may be transient and reversible if detected and treated early. In adulthood Hearing loss in adulthood should also be valued as it can have reversible and treatable causes. Early intervention in these cases can delay the evolution to the social isolation that deafness often entails. Appropriate rehabilitation and treatment Children with congenital deafness are indicated for early rehabilitation , initially with hearing aids and later, if indicated, with cochlear implants. Cases of hearing loss associated with acute or chronic otitis media sometimes require surgery , for example placement of transtympanic tubes or tympanoplasty in the case of a perforated tympanic membrane. Speech therapy plays an important role in monitoring these situations, especially in pediatric patients, not only in the rehabilitation of diagnosed cases, but also in the referral to otorhinolaryngology when hearing loss is suspected as the cause of the language disorder. In adults, hearing aids can be an effective solution to recover the quality of life, indicated and used with due medical supervision. Listen to your hearing The increase in average life expectancy and the recurrent and prolonged exposure to intense sounds, both in work and recreational contexts (video games, use of headsets and headphones), will lead to an increase in sensorineural hearing loss at increasingly earlier ages. This limits interpersonal relationships, professional performance and socializing with friends and family. Over time, it can lead to social isolation, especially in the elderly population. It can also worsen the evolution of dementia syndromes because, in order to think about things, we have to, in addition to seeing it, hear and understand it. Keep an eye out for signs that could be related to hearing loss . Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to the level of recovery that is possible. Author : Hugo Luiz Rodrigues Meet the otorhinolaringology clinical team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
