10 Chapter 1 Dimensions of ear and hearing problems Ear and hearing problems are widespread across all age groups and regions globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 5% of the world’s population, or 430 million people, require rehabilitation to address their disabling hearing loss. This includes 34 million children. It is estimated that by 2050 over 700 million people will have disabling hearing loss.1 Similarly, conditions such as otitis media and dizziness are also well-known and commonly encountered. Worldwide Acute Otitis Media (AOM) affects about 11% of people yearly. That is about 325 to 710 million cases annually. Of those affected about 4.8% or 31 million develop chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). The total number of people with CSOM is estimated at 65–330 million people.2 Dizziness, including vertigo, affects about 15% to more than 20% of adults yearly in large populationbased studies. The overall incidence of dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance is 5–10%, and it reaches 40% in patients older than 40 years.3 These data indicate that the number of patients requiring attention from an ENT surgeon could be substantial. Fortunately, the actual number of patients who need to see an ENT specialist is much lower, because other healthcare professionals are also involved in the care for these patients. Examples are general practitioners, paediatricians, physiotherapists, audiologists, and hearing care professionals. Additionally, some of these ear conditions can be detected in early stage through nationwide screening programs of neonates to prevent more intensive treatment in the future. Moreover, ear and hearing problems typically extend beyond a single system; often involving multiple systems and accompanying other complaints. For example, patients with a hearing problem often experience concurrent dizziness or balance problems. Therefore, the health status of a patient with an ear or hearing issue should be considered comprehensively, beyond just the anatomical perspective. Finally, health is not just the absence of disease. The WHO formally defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’.1 There are many different diseases within the Ear, - Nose and Throat & Head and Neck Surgery domain that may underlie these complaints and potentially compromise the individuals’ health. Examples are cholesteatoma, hearing loss, chronic otitis media or Meniere’s disease and each of these conditions may have
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjY0ODMw