In the landscape of global health challenges, hearing loss stands as the most prevalent sensory deficit and the second-largest contributor to the global burden of disease. 1 in 6 Australians suffer from some degree of hearing loss. By 2050 this is forecast to grow to 1 in 4 Australians. Recognising the urgency of this issue, the Australian Government has allocated close to $7.5 million for research aimed at improving ear and hearing health. Despite being a mainstream health issue, Hearing Health is not ranked as a national health priority and subsequently, this causes a generally low level of public awareness about hearing health.

 

Since the last mention of a National Roadmap for Hearing Health in 2019, there is no evidence of any major strategy or impact prioritising Hearing Health for all Australians. Where do we stand in this roadmap? Are we hitting targets? How far down the road are we?

 

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