Along with the increase in life expectancy in Europe, more and more Europeans have hearing impairments, which can affect their quality of life, for example in reducing their social activities and making them more dependent on others. A 25-year study carried out in Bordeaux, France, shows that persons with hearing loss have a higher risk of dependency, depression and disability if the loss is untreated.
“As Europe’s population ages, the burden of untreated hearing loss is expected to increase. We must act to protect older person’s rights and promote their participation in society! Therefore, we support the World Hearing Day, and warmly welcome the initiative of the World Health Organization” says Anne-Sophie Parent, Secretary General of AGE Platform Europe in a joint press statement released to mark the World Hearing Day on 3rd March.
Read here a summary of a debate at the European Parliament organized on 6th March by the Coalition on Hearing Loss and Disabilities – of which AGE is part – to mark the World Hearing Day.
