Hearing Loss in Africa: 54 Million Affected by 2030

WHO Warns of Rising Hearing Loss in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that hearing loss in Africa is projected to affect 54 million people by 2030, up from the current figure of 40 million.

This increase poses a significant challenge, particularly as hearing loss predominantly affects poorer and more vulnerable populations across the continent.

The economic impact is also substantial, with hearing loss costing Africa approximately $27 billion annually.

Key factors driving this rise include a critical shortage of ear and hearing care (EHC) specialists. More than half of African countries have only one ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist for every million people, compared to much higher rates in other regions.

Additionally, access to hearing aids is extremely limited—only about 10% of the 33 million Africans who could benefit from hearing aids are able to access them due to high costs and lack of funding.

Children are particularly vulnerable, with up to 75% of childhood hearing loss being preventable through basic public health interventions.

However, many countries lack systems for routine newborn hearing screening. To address this growing crisis, WHO recommends that African nations prioritize the integration of EHC services into broader health programs, improve workforce training, and explore public-private partnerships to expand access to necessary care​.