World hearing day, over half of Italians have never checked it

In Italy about 12% of the population is affected by hearing problems more or less serious: there are about 45 thousand deaf people and with numbers destined to increase. L’hearing loss – the typical hearing disorder that causes a reduction in the organ’s ability to function – concerns one in three people in the over 65 age bracket. On a global scale it is certainly no better: according to the 2021 report of the World Health Organization they are over 430 million are already affected and growth is expected by 2050 to be achieved nearly 700 million people with ailments of various kinds. On the occasion of the World hearing daywhich falls on March 3, the WHO has denounced that the deafness emergency that sees over a billion young people around the world in risk of hearing loss.

After two years of health emergency and suspended events, in fact, appointments and shows with full capacity in clubs, discos, theaters and concert halls return almost everywhere. But often the minimum measures to prevent hearing disorders they are not guaranteed. For this reason, the WHO has published the “Global standard for safe listening venues and events»On the occasion of the seventh world day on the subject, which is moreover organized under the slogan” To hear for life, listen with care! “. This is a new guide with six key points to act in time and take care of the health of your hearing.

In addition to training of the staff of the premisesother fundamental recommendations for this kind of entertainment venues and events are those of keep a maximum average sound level of 100 decibels; monitor in real time and record sound levels using calibrated equipment; optimize the acoustics of the room and audio systems; make available to the public personal hearing protection systems, including instructions for use and the quiet areas to allow visitors to rest their ears and reduce the risk of hearing damage.

Above all, “it is even more important to work to guarantee and strengthen the right of equal accessibility of deaf and hearing people, enshrined in the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities” he explains Luca Rotondi, expert in emergency management for deaf people and president of Emergenza Deaf, a social association that promotes access to emergency services and the culture of first aid for both deaf and hearing people. “A right that is inextricably linked to that of care and which must increasingly translate into environments ready to welcome and professionals skilled in communication, especially in emergency and first aid situations, in order to guarantee everyone the best possible assistance”. Also it screening represents an ally in the fight against hearing problems: in Italy, however, only 31% of people have had a check in the past 5 years while 54% never carried out any tests.

Among other things, following the WHO appeal, Consulcesi launches a course entitled «In reciprocal listening. Interacting with the deaf patient in normal and emergency situations ”, in collaboration with Emergenza Deaf and intended to adequately train and inform pediatricians, general practitioners, nurses and all white coats responsible for the health of citizens. The course, starting from the recognition of the deaf person on the basis of physical and psychological behaviors, in particular in emergency situations, will then deepen communication and relational aspects in order to provide participants with tools to recognize, manage and communicate better in emergency situations and not, which involve people with this disability.

Other stories of Vanity Fair that may interest you

The Stories We are, Ludovica and Chiara: “Deaf from birth, with irony we break down prejudices”

ACOUSTIC POLLUTION: WHEN SILENCE BECOMES UTOPIA