Posted: 29/02/2024
World Hearing Day, which falls on Sunday 3 March 2024, is a globally recognised annual event. Organised by the World Health Organization (WHO), it aims to raise awareness about hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care worldwide. The theme for this year is ’Changing mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all!’
As part of the programme of activities for the 2024 campaign, there will be a strong focus on overcoming challenges related to societal misperceptions and stigmatised mindsets about ear and hearing problems. WHO’s director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has commented on why World Hearing Day is so important: "Hearing loss has often been referred to as an ‘invisible disability’, not just because of the lack of visible symptoms, but because it has long been stigmatised in communities and ignored by policy-makers."
Hearing loss is common and can happen at any age. Depending on the underlying cause, it may be either temporary or permanent, and it can occur suddenly or gradually.
There are two common types of hearing loss:
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) occurs due to damage to the hair cells within the inner ear, the vestibulocochlear nerve, or the brain's central processing centres. This is distinct from conductive hearing loss, which arises from sound waves being unable to reach the inner ear.
The symptoms can vary between individuals, with some experiencing a sudden, jarring ‘pop’ just before their hearing vanishes. Those with sudden deafness might also observe additional symptoms, including a sensation of ear fullness, dizziness, and ringing in the ears (known as tinnitus).
SSHL can occur at any age but is most commonly observed in adults in their late 40s and early 50s. Experts estimate that it affects one individual per 5,000 annually but the true number of new cases is likely to be significantly higher due to underdiagnosis.
Around half of patients experiencing SSHL show some degree of spontaneous recovery without any treatment. For those with mild to severe hearing loss falling within the ‘steroid-effective zone’, there is a high likelihood of recovery (75-80%) when treated with steroid therapy. Commencing treatment early significantly improves the chances of successful recovery.
SSHL is a medical emergency that often goes unrecognised. Unilateral hearing loss does not always immediately raise the same concerns as unilateral vision loss. Common and benign conditions like earwax blockage or otitis media with effusion can mimic SSHL symptoms. Unfortunately, these factors sometimes lead to delays in patients seeking initial consultation and referral to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. However, evidence suggests that early intervention significantly enhances the chances of achieving partial recovery in hearing thresholds.
A recent case highlights the significance a delay in diagnosis can have on treatment and recovery. The claimant, our client, saw two different GPs two days apart, complaining of ear blockage, loss of hearing, dizziness and sickness. She was incorrectly diagnosed with labyrinthitis on both occasions. The claimant was subsequently referred by a locum GP to an ENT clinic for investigation, by which time she had lost all her hearing and required surgery to fit a bone-anchored hearing device. As part of her claim, it was shown that, given how promptly she attended the GP surgery, if she had been immediately referred to an ENT clinic and received steroid treatment, this would, on balance, have saved her aidable hearing and she would only have required a conventional hearing aid.
Both defendant GPs denied liability prior to the issue of court proceedings on the basis that the claimant reported an ear blockage, not complete hearing loss. In witness evidence, the claimant maintained that she did report hearing loss which was supported by WhatsApp messages she sent at the time. In any event, standard GP practice does not require complete hearing loss for a referral to ENT care with suspected SSHL. The claim was eventually resolved successfully following a three-way party settlement meeting for £295,000 in damages and costs.
To find out more ways to get involved with World Hearing Day this year, please visit the event website, where you can find further news, information, educational materials and associated events.
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