Hearing Health
Integrating hearing health into healthy ageing across the life course.
What Does Hearing Health Mean?
Hearing health is a growing public health and ageing issue worldwide. According to the WHO World Report on Hearing, more than 1.5 billion people globally experience some degree of hearing loss – approximately one in five people – and this number is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades. The increase in hearing loss closely parallels global population ageing, with the number of people aged 60 years and older projected to double by 2050, and those aged 80 years and over expected to triple. Untreated hearing loss has wide-ranging consequences across the life course, particularly in later life. It can affect communication, social participation, cognitive health, employment, and overall wellbeing, while increasing the risk of isolation and reduced independence. Hearing health therefore sits at the intersection of ageing, health systems, inclusion, and equity, and plays an important role in supporting healthy ageing and functional ability.
The IFA is proud to be a member of the World Hearing Forum and to contribute through its External Relations Working Group. To learn more about the World Hearing Forum, please click here.
How Does the IFA Advance Hearing Health?
IFA works to advance hearing health as an integral component of healthy ageing through evidence-informed advocacy, partnership building, and policy engagement. IFA’s work focuses on three interconnected areas: prevention, by strengthening awareness and understanding of hearing health across the life course; access, by identifying and addressing structural and modifiable barriers to care; and equity, by promoting timely, affordable, and person-centred hearing care services for all older people.
Through an interdisciplinary approach, IFA brings together stakeholders across ageing, health, and hearing sectors, while elevating the perspectives and lived experiences of older adults to inform more inclusive, coordinated, and responsive hearing health policies and practices.
Resource Spotlight
Increasing Cross Sectoral Collaboration in Advocacy Efforts for Ear and Hearing Care Services
Emerging evidence shows hearing loss is a modifiable risk factor for dementia. This project explores links between hearing and dementia priorities across countries to support more integrated care approaches.
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