AS World Hearing Day approaches, a Bradford Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) consultant has stressed the importance of regular hearing testing.

World Hearing Day is held on March 3 each year to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss - as well as to promote ear and hearing care across the world.

Each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) decides the theme, which this year is ‘Hearing Care for ALL! Screen, Rehabilitate, Communicate.’  World Hearing Day 2021 will also mark the launch of the first-ever ‘World Report on Hearing.’

Globally, 466 million people are estimated to be living with hearing loss; that’s 6.1 per cent of the world’s population. This number is expected to rise to 900 million by 2050. Today, 34 million children worldwide have deafness or hearing loss, of which 60 per cent of cases are due to preventable causes.

Consultant ENT Surgeon, Professor Chris Raine MBE is part of the team at Bradford Royal Infirmary’s (BRI) hi-tech Listening for Life Centre. The Centre is home to the Yorkshire Auditory Implants Service, funded by The Ear Trust, which was set up by Prof Raine after he learned of the benefits that cochlear implants could bring.

He said: “At all stages in life, communication and good hearing health connect us to each other, our communities, and the world.

“Major causes of hearing loss include congenital or early onset childhood hearing loss, chronic middle ear infections, noise-induced hearing loss, age-related hearing loss, and ototoxic drugs that damage the inner ear.

“The impacts of hearing loss are broad and can be profound. They include problems communicating with others and delayed language development in children. Hearing loss can lead to social isolation, loneliness and frustration, particularly among older people with hearing loss. Deafness is recognised to be associated with more ill health, cognitive decline and dementia.”

Prof Raine said early intervention to prevent hearing loss was vital: “Appropriate and timely interventions can make the world of difference.”

He encouraged anyone worried about their hearing to arrange a hearing test, which are available free on the NHS.

Tests are available at a number of High Street pharmacies and providers. People can also see their GP, who may refer a patient to a hearing specialist (audiologist) who can do the test.