Mobile applications to detect hearing impairment : opportunities and challenges

Abstract

Hearing loss affects close to 1.3 billion people and is a growing global health concern as the fourth leading contributor to years lived with disability.1 The global economic cost associated with hearing loss is estimated at 750 billion United States dollars (US$) annually.2 However, hearing loss has limited public health support, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where incidence is high and resources often scarce and unequally distributed. Consequences of unaddressed hearing loss include impaired communication and reduced psychosocial well-being. Hearing loss also has close links to dementia as one of the primary modifiable risk factors.3 The 2017 World Health Assembly Resolution Prevention of deafness and hearing loss calls on hearing health-care stakeholders to develop and implement strategies for improved service provision, especially in low- and middle-income countries.