Audiology Organizations Supporting the Deaf Community

By Dez Duran-Lamanilao

United Nations and federal statistics show that there is an estimated 1 million of so-called “functionally deaf” individuals in the US and about 70 million worldwide. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that 15% of Americans aged 18 and above report some difficulty in hearing. And about 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the US are diagnosed to have a detectable level of hearing loss in either or both of the ears. To offer support, various organizations are continuously finding ways in helping the deaf community deal with their condition and live a normal life.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) approved and adopted a resolution on hearing loss on May 30, 2017. The WHO program for prevention of deafness and hearing loss (PDH) aims to promote ear and hearing care (EHC) that is unified within the main health care systems of WHO’s Member States.

• The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) also provides federal support to deaf and hard of hearing children to improve their language and literacy skills in order for them to succeed in school and become independent adults. Federal surveys that were conducted between 2005 and 2009 reveal that around three percent or fewer of children aged 12 and below across the country had hearing problems.

• The NIDCD has been providing basic and clinical research as well as research training on communication and sensory disorders.

• With almost 200,000 members and affiliates, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) empowers and supports audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, hearing and language scientists through advancement in science, setting of standards, fostering excellence in their professional practice, and advocating for them and the communities they serve.

The World Hearing Day is observed every third of March to promote hearing care. The theme for the World Hearing Day 2018 was “Hear the future.” These organizations and other advocates for the hearing impaired remain committed in improving hearing health care services to address the expected increase in prevalence of hearing loss globally.